LAST MOMENTS OF LORD SYDENHAM.

New Zealand Herald and Auckland Gazette, Volume I, Issue 63, 26 March 1842, Page 2

LAST MOMENTS OF LORD SYDENHAM.

(From the Morning Chronicle. Oct. 8.) The death-bed scene of this lamented nobleman was as impressive and characteristic, and as worthy of a page in history as that of any hero or statesman in her records, who died, like him, in the service of his country. The following account is extracted from the letter of an eyewitness : " For about a week after the accident (-a fall on horseback by which his leg was broken, and at the same time a deep and painful wound inflicted just above the knee) he appeared to be going on tolerably well, and, although he himself repeatedly expressed doubts as to his recovery, there was nothing to lead us to suppose, nor did the medical men give us to understand, that his presentiment was more than the natural consequence of the lowness produced by weakness. " On Monday, however, the 13th, spasms came on, first in the leg, and afterwards in the stomach and throat; yet still we had no idea that a fatal result would ensue. The prorogation had at first been fixed for Wednesday, and

subsequently, at the request of the Assembly, postponed till Friday; and so little prepared were we then for what was to follow, that during Thursday the Governor-General was employed in giving his decision on the several bills which had been passed, and in revising of the speech which, at his desire had been prepared fo,r him.

"On Friday morning his illness increased so much, that he was obliged to put off the proropation, and after consultation with his medical advisers, he determined to prorogue the Parliament by deputation. General Clitherow being the senior military officer at present at Kingston, was selected for the purpose, and prorogued the Parliament on Saturday morning at twelve o'clock, giving at the same time the royal assentj or reservation to the bills, which had all previously received Lord Sydenham's decision, and almost all of them his signature. In the night of Friday occurred that great change which made it evident that Lord Sydenham's illness was rapidly approaching to a fatal termination. Every one of his symptoms was fearfully aggravated, and even those who had before hoped most were 1 forced to confess that hope was now in vain. He was perfectly conscious of his own state, and about two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, he, together •*" with all his establishment received the sacrament. He then dictated to Mr. Dowling his will. To all his establishment he left some token of his regard. He desired to be remembered to Lord J. Russell, to whom he bequeathed a memorial of his friendship, and when that part of his will was read over to him, he exerted himself to say, with emphasis, though interrupted with violent » spasms in the throat, 'Dowling, Lord Johnvis the noblest man it has ever been my good fortune? to know.' He then took leave of us all individually, saying something kind to each. To Mr. Murdoch, Civil Secretary, he expressed a wish that he should write the history of his administration in Canada. He repeatedly mentioned his continued interest in this country, and his satis faction that the Parliament was prorogued, the great institutional measures he had revised and and proposed to Parliament passed into law, and the purposes of his mission accomplished. To his Private Secretary he said—' Good bye, Grey, you will defend my memory—mind Grey, you will defend my memory !' He then spoke to Major Campbell and Mr. Baring, adding (motioning with his head to all) —' Now leave me alone with Adamson (his chaplain) to die.'

" The rest of that day and the whole night , were spent by him. in prayer and conversation with his chaplain. During this period he suffered very much, but his mind never for an instant faded, nor appeared to be douded by his ap« proaching death. Once or twice his soasms were so severe that we were afraid he was gone ; but it was not until seven o'clock on Sunday morning when we were summoned into his room to see him breathe his last. At this moment all pain seemed to have ceased ; his countenance had resumed its usual expression ; he gave one long steady look upon us all around the bed, and expired at five minutes past seven o'clock.

' " I cannot conclude without adding my confident belief that in Canada Lord Sydenham has not left one personal enemy, and that his death in the service of his Queen and this colony, for whose welfare he died a martyr (since there can be no doubt that the severity of the two winters he passed here, acting on a constitution not over, strong, alone rendered him unequal to bear the effects of an injury, not otherwise of a fatal will be hallowed to its goodj that ever his untimely* grave past differences will be forgotten, a spirit of charity grow up and flourish, • and all parties unite cordially to carry out the policy and administer the laws which his master mind devised, and his master hand enacted. " In compliance with his own request, he te to be buried at Kingston. His remains will find a fit resting-place among the inhabitants of that town which owes to him its selection as the capital of United Canada; and his best moment will be the future prosperity of the colony itself, destined, no doubt, to become a mighty and magnificent empire—a prosperity founded on that union and those institutions to perfect which he • devoted every faculty for the last two years, and which he died in .the very act of completing." The Belfast Banking Company, have purchased from the Marpuis of Donegal, the Exchange buildings in that town, where they purpose carrying on business. The purchase money was £5,000. At Belfast Petty Sessions on Wednesday, Mr. John Maginnis, Attorney, was charged with kidnapping Walter Wheeler, at the late election there. Case 1 dismissed.

* Lord Sydenham hid just accomplished his forty-second a year a few days only beiore hia death.