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Mr. Fletcher's Account of Lord Byron's Last Moments.

"My master," says Mr. Fletcher," continued his usual custom of riding daily when the weather would permit, until the 9th of April. But on that ill-fated day he got very wet; and on his return home his Lordship changed the whole of his dress; but he had been too long in his wet clothes, and the cold, of which he had complained more or less ever since we left Cephalonia, made this attack be more severely felt. Though rather feverish during the night, his Lordship slept pretty well, but complained in the morning of a pain in his bones and a bead-ache: this did not, however, prevent him from taking a ride in the afternoon, which I grieve to say was his last. On his return, my master said that the saddle was not perfectly dry, from being so wet the day before, and observed that he thought it had made him worse. His Lordship was again visited by the same slow fever, and I was sorry to perceive, on the nevt morning, that his illness appeared to be increasing. He was very low, and complained of not having had any sleep during the night. His Lordship's appetite was also quite gone. I prepared a little arrow-root, of which he took three or four spoonfuls, saying it was very good, but could take no more. It was not till the third day, the 12th, that I began to be alarmed for my master. In all his former colds he always slept well, and was never affected by this slow fever. I therefore went to Dr. Bruno and Mr. Millingen, the two medical at tendants, and inquired minutely into every circumstance connected with my master's present illness: both replied that there was no danger, and I might make myself perfectly easy on the subject, for all would be well in a few days. This was on the 13th. On the following day 1 found my master in such a state, that I could not feel happy without supplicating that he would send to Zante for Dr. Thomas. After expressing my fears lest his Lordship should get worse, he desired me to consult the doctors; which I did, and was told there was no occasion for calling in any person, as they hoped all would be well in a few days.-Here I should remark, that his Lordship repeatedly said, in the course of the day, he was sure the doctors did not understand his disease; to which I answered, Then, my Lord, have other advice by all means. They tell me,' said bis Lordship, that it is only a common cold, which, you know, I have had a thousand times. I am sure, my Lord,' said I, that you never had one of so serious a nature.'-'I think I never had,' was his Lordship's answer. I repeated my supplications that Dr. Thomas should be sent for, on the 15th, and was again assured that my master would be better in two or three days. After these confident assurances, I did not renew my entreaties until it was too late. With respect to the medicines that were given to my master, I could not persuade myself that those of a strong purgative nature were the best adapted for his complaint, concluding that, as he had nothing on his stomach, the only effect would be to create pain: indeed, this must have been the case with a person in perfect health. The whole nourishment taken by my master, for the last

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eight days, consisted of a small quantity of broth at two or three different times, and two spoonfuls of arrow-root on the 18th, the day before his death. The first time I beard of there being any intention of bleeding bis Lordship was on the 15th, when it was proposed by Dr. Bruno, but objected to at first by my master, who asked Mr. Mellingen if there was any very great reason for taking blood ?-The latter replied it might be of service, but added that it could be deferred till the next day — and accordingly my master was bled in the right arm, on the evening of the 16th, and a pound of blood was taken. I observed at the time, that it had a most inflamed appearance.

"Dr. Bruno now began to say he had frequently urged my master to be bled, but that he always refused. A long dispate now arose about the time that had been lost, and the necessity of sending for medical assistance to Zante; opon which I was informed, for the first time, that it would be of no use, as my master would be better, or no more, before the arrival of Dr. Thomas. His Lordship continued to get worse: but Dr. Bruno said, he thought letting blood again would save his life; and I lost no time in telling my master how necessary it was to comply with the doctor's wishes. To this he replied by saying, he feared they knew nothing about his disorder; and then, stretching out his arm, said, 'Here, take my arm, and do whatever you like?' His Lordship continued to get weaker; and on the 17th he was bled twice in the morning, and at two o'clock in the afternoon. The bleeding at both times was followed by fainting-fits, and he would have fallen down more than once, had I not caught him in my arms. In order to prevent such an accident, I took care not to let his Lordship stir without supporting him. On this day my master said to me twice, 'I cannot sleep, and you well know I have not been able to sleep for more than a week: I know,' added his Lordship, that a man can only be a certain time without sleep, and then he must go mad, without any one being able to save him; and I would ten times sooner shoot myself than be mad, for I am not afraid of dying, I am more fit to die than people think. I do not, however, believe that his Lordship had any apprehension of his fate till the day after, the 18th, when he said, I fear you and Tita will be ill by sitting up constantly night and day.' I answered, We shall never leave your Lordship till you are better.' As my master had a slight fit of delirium on the 16th, I took care to remove the pistols and stiletto, which had hitherto been kept at his bedside in the night. On the 18th his Lordship addressed me frequently, and seemed to be very much dissatisfied with his medical treatment. I then said, Do allow to send for Dr. Thomas; to which he answered, Do so, but be quick. I am sorry I did not let you do so before, as I am sure they have mistaken my disease. Write yourself, for I know they would not like to see other doctors here.' I did not lose a moment in obeying my master's orders; and on informing Dr. Bruno and Mr. Millingen of it, they said it was very right, as they now began to be afraid themselves. On returning to my master's room, his first words were, Have you sent?' I have, my Lord,' was my answer; upon which be said, You

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have done right, for I should like to know what is the matter with me.'

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Although bis Lordship did not appear to think bis dissolution was so near, I could perceive he was getting weaker, every hour, and be even began to have occasional fits of delirium. He afterwards said, 'I now begin to think I am seriously ill; and, in case I should be taken off suddenly, I wish to give you several directions, which I hope you will be particular in seeing executed." I answered I would, in case such an event came to pass; but expressed a hope that he would live many years,to execute them much better than I could. To this my master replied, 'No, it is now nearly over; and then added, 'I must tell you all, without losing a moment!' I then said, 'Shall I go, my Lord, and fetch pen, ink, and paper? Oh, my God! no, you will lose too much time, and I have it not to spare, for my time is now short,' said his Lordship; and immediately after, 'Now, pay attention!' His Lordship commenced by saying, ' You will be provided for.' I begged him, however, to proceed with things of more consequence. He then continued, 'Oh, my poor dear child!--my dear Ada! My God! could I but have seen her! Give her my blessing-and my dear sister Augusta and ber children;-and you will tell her every go to Lady Byron, and say thing-you are friends with her.' His Lordship appeared to be greatly affected at this moment. Here my master's voice failed him, so that I could only catch a word at intervals; but he kept muttering something very seriously for some time, and would often raise his voice and say, Fletcher, now if you do not execute every order which I have given you, I will torment you bereafter if possible.' Here I told his Lordship, in a state of the greatest perplexity, that I had not understood a word of what he said; to which he replied, Oh, my God! then all is lost, for it is now too late! Can it be possible you have not understood me? No, my Lord,' said I ; but I pray you to try and inform me once more.'

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How can I?' rejoined my master; it is now too late, and all is over!'-I said, Not our will, but God's be done!'-and be answered, Yes, not mine be done-but I will tryHis Lordship did indeed make several efforts to speak, but could only repeat two or three words at a time—such as, ' My wife! my child! my sister!-you know all-you must say allyou know my wishes:' the rest was quite unintelligible.

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"A consultation was now held (about noon,) when it was determined to administer some Peruvian bark and wine. My master had now been nine days without any sustenance whatever, except what I have mentioned. With the exception of a few words which can only interest those to whom they were addressed, and which, if required, I shall communicate to themselves, it was impossible to understand any thing his Lordship said after taking the bark. He expressed a wish to sleep. I at one time asked whether I should call Mr. Parry; to which he replied, Yes, you may call him.' Mr. Parry desired him to compose himself. He shed tears, and apparently sunk into a slumber. Mr. Parry went away, expect ing to find him refreshed on his return-but it was the commencement of the lethargy pre

ceding his death. The last words I heard my
master utter were at six o'clock on the even-
ing of the 18th, when he said, 'I must sleep
now;' upon which he laid down, never to rise
again!-for he did not move hand or foot dur-
ing the following twenty-four hours. His
Lordship appeared, however, to be in a state
of suffocation at intervals, and had a frequent
rattling in the throat: on these occasions I
called Tita to assist me in raising his bead,
and I thought he seemed to get quite stiff.
The rattling and choaking in the throat took
place every half-hour; and we continued to
raise his head whenever the fit came on, till
six o'clock in the evening of the 19th, when I
saw my master open his eyes and then shut
them, but without shewing any symptom of
pain, or moving hand or foot. Oh, my God!'
I exclaimed, I fear his Lordship is gone!'
The Doctors then felt his pulse, and said,
'You are right-he is gone!'"

Phenomena of the Planets in December.-The
planet Saturn is now in a favourable situation
for observing with the telescope; his beautiful
ring may be seen with a moderately magnifying
power, but it requires a telescope of peculiar
excellence to see any of his satellites. Jupiter
is some distance below him, and rises about 8
o'clock; his belts and four satellites or moons
may be distinctly seen with such an instru-
ment as is sold for 12 or 14 shillings. Venus
may be seen in the west shortly after sunset;
her telescopic appearance, at this time, resem-
On the 24th she will pass
bles the new moon.
within 43 minutes south of the planet Mars;
they will set that evening about 7 o'clock.

Čement for Coppersmiths.-A cement, often
used by coppersmiths to lay over the rivets
and edges of the sheets of copper in large
boilers, to serve as as an additional security to
the joinings, and to secure cocks, &c. from
leaking, is made by mixing pounded quick
lime with ox's blood. It must be applied
fresh made, as it soon gets hard. If the pro-
perties of this cement were duly investigated,
it would probably be found useful for many
purposes to which it has never yet been ap-
plied. It is extremely cheap, and very durable.

Salt Manure. The following experiment has been witnessed by Mr. Johnson, of Witham, Essex, with salt manure, to wheat, on a light gravelly soil, after a crop of potatoes, on one acre of which a quantity of brined ashes had been spread, containing about two bushels of salt, without any particular effect, except where the heap of brined ashes were deposited for twelve hours. The produce of potatoes, in that spot, was allowed, by every person, to exceed double the quantity obtained from any ground of equal extent in the field; and the plants far exceeded all others in height and strength.-And as in the autumn this field was sown with wheat, by the drill, this spot afforded, in 1819, the clearest evidence of the advantages of salt manure, extending with nearly as great effect to the second crop, as to the first; as the large quantity of wheat, and perfection of the ear, attracted the particular notice of every farmer passing by it, which superiority would have appeared somewhat greater, if the surrounding ground had not had some assistance from the salt ashes put on with the potatoes.

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