PLEASURES OF DYING.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2597, 4 May 1877, Page 2

PLEASURES OF DYING.

In death there is an absolute annihilation of the vital functions,Xwhich in /exhaustion are only impeded, the body being, therefore, abandoned to the laws of decomposition. ..Like' other critical acts in human existence, death itself is not unaccompanied by pleasure when it is natural; that is, when the body has passed through the different phases of grown manhood, old age, and decrepitude*?-,I might'call to my aid the physicians whY have .noted through what imperceptible shades of gradations an animated, body passes, ipto a stateofinertmatter. I might quote philosophers, kings, and men of letters who, on the i confines of eternity, far from being * prey to grief, had theirminds filled with pleasant ' thoughts sometimes enchanced by -the charm of poetry.' I might bring to mind that reply of the dying. Fontenelle, "who being asked what he felt, said,;" Nothing but a difficulty of living." I had an aunt of ninety-tbree years old who was dying, •'Art- thoV by k in'e?" said she,, m 4 voice scarcely intelligible... " Y.es, aunt; can I do - anything for you P I think a little wine would do you good." "Let me try, them, my boy; a liquid will always go down." She instantly revived, and, turning upon me eyes that had been very handsome, said, "I thank you kindly for this last good turn; if ever you reach my age, you will see that death becomes a want, just like steep;" These were her last words : half an j»our, afterwards she had fallen asleep for evervfGastronomy as a Fine Art.