The herald., 1898-06-12
death PREMONITlONS

The first symptom OF approaching
death with some is the strong PRESENT.
ment that they are about to die.
Ozanam, the mathematician, while in
apparent health rejected pupils from the
| feeling that he was on the eve of resting
| from his labors, and he expired soon after
of an apoplectic stroke.
| Fletcher, the divine, had dream which
shadowed out his impending dissolution
and believing it to be the merciful warn
| ing ob heaven, he sent for a sculptor, and
ordered his tomb. Begin your work
forthwith" he said at parting; there is
| no time to lose" And unless the artist
had obeyed the admonition, death would
have proved the quicker workman of the
two. Mozart wrote his requiem under
the conviction that the monument he was
raising to his genius would, by the power
of association, prove universal monu-
ment TO his remains. When life was fleet
ing very fast, he called for the score, and
musing over it, said: Did l not tell you
truly that it was for myself that 1 COM
posed that death chant?"
Another great artist, in different de-
partment, convinced that his hand was
about to lose its cunning, chose a subject
embiematical of the coming event. His
friends inquired the nature of his com
ing design, and Hogarth replied "The end
of all things" I'm that case" rejoined
one, there will be an end of the painter
What was uttered in jest was answered
in earnest, with solemn look and a
heavy sigh. There WILL" he said, land
the sooner my work is done the better
He commenced next day, labored upon
the drawing with unremitting diligence.
and when he had given it the last touch,
seized the palette. broke it in pieces, and
said, II have finished" The print was
published in March, under the title Of
"Finis," and in October the curious eyes
which saw the manners, in the face were
closed in the dust. Our ancestors, who
were prone to look in the ain for causes
which were to be found upon the earth,
attributed these intimations to various
supernatural agencies.
John Hunter has solved the mystery If
mystery it can be called, in single SEN
tence. 1--WE sometimes" he says. feel
within ourselves that we shall not live:
for the living powers become weak, and
the nerves communicate the intelligence
to the brain"
His own case has often been quoted
this rational explanation. He intmated.
on leaving home, that if a discussion
which awaited him at the hospital took
an angry turn, it would prove his death. A
colleague gave him the lie, the coarse
word verified the prophecy, and he ex-
pired almost Immediately in an adjoin-
ing room. There was everything to la
ment in the circumstances, but nothing
at which to wonder.
Circumstances which at another time
would excite no attention are accepted
for an omen when health is failing. The
order for the requiem with Mozart the
dream with Fletcher turned the current
of their thoughts to the grave. Foote,
prior to his departure for the continent,
stood contemplating the picture of
brother author, and exclaimed, his eyes
full Of tears, Poor Weston!' In the same
detected tone he added, after a pause.
Soon others shall say Poor Foote!' :"
And to the surprise of his friends, a few
days proved the suggestion of his prog
nostication. The expectation of the vent
had a share in producing it; for slight
shock completes the destruction of pros
trate energies.
The case of Wolsey was singular. The
morning before he died he asked of Cav
endish the hour, and was answered, Past
eight" Eight Of the clock?" replied
Wolsey; that cannot be; eight of the
clock-nay, nay. it cannot be eight of the
clock, for by eight. of the clock you shall
lose your master"
The day he miscalculated, the hour
came true. On the following morning,
as the clock struck eight, his troubled
spirit passed from life. Cavendish and