During his whole illness he was cheerful and
composed; nor did he allow it to hinder him, severe as it was, from taking
any opportunity which offered of serving those unhappy persons, for whose
injuries he had so deeply felt. A few days only before he died, I received
from him probably the last letter he ever wrote, of which the following is
an extract:
"My health has certainly taken a most alarming turn; and if some
considerable alteration does not take place for the better in a very little
time, it will be all over with me; I mean as to the present life. I have
lost all appetite; and suffer grievously from an almost continual pain in
my stomach, which leaves me no enjoyment of myself, but such as I can
collect from my own reflections, and the comforts of religion. I am glad
the bill for the abolition is in such forwardness. Whether it goes through
the House or not, the discussion attending it will have a most beneficial
effect. The whole of this business I think now to be in such a train, as to
enable me to bid farewell to the present scene with the satisfaction of not
having lived in vain, and of having done something towards the improvement
of our common nature; and this at no little expense of time and reputation.
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