A FAMOUS NOVELIST DEAD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1191, 28 December 1894, Page 42

A FAMOUS NOVELIST DEAD.

MR R. L. STEVENSON. Auckland, December 17

The Upolu, from Samoa, brings news of the death of Robert Louis Stevenson, the celebrated novelist. Mr Stevenson was hard at work till 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 3rd instant. Two hours later he complained to his wife of strange pains in his neck, and almost immediately became unconscious. The members of his family were called in, and medical assistance obtained. When the doctor arrived he saw no hope, and Mr Stevenson expired at 8.10 p.m. The cause of death was apoplexy.

Deceased's health of late had been so improved that his relatives hoped his lung trouble was gradually ceasing to be absolutely dangerous. For a long time haemorrhage was in evidence, but it was hoped that the predictions of the faculty, that the forty-fifth . year having been safely passed the sensitiveness of the lung would disappear, might be verified, and apoplexy was not contemplated at all.

He had lately been in robust health for him, the condition of his lungs having greatly improved, and he had put through an enormous amount of work. A very powerful novel, to be called "Weir of Hermiston, or The Lord Justice Clerk,"was about half finished, the author considering it one of his best productions. Immediately previous to the attack, Mr Stevenson was superintending the manufacture of a special • salad dressing. He suddenly felt pains in the head, and almost instantly was struck down. He was laid on a small bedstead, and remained surrounded by his family till the end. The face of the dead man was calm and composed, and it was difficult to realise that life had departed. The remains were interred on a plateau on the summit of Mount Vaea, 1300 feet above the sea level. The service was attended by 20 Europeans and 60 Samoans, and was highly impressive.