ar. Messages of sympathy were read to him, and he listened
silently or with a word of thanks.

"The retinue of the whole world's good wishes" flowed to the "large upper
chamber looking to the sunrising, where the aged pilgrim lay." Men and
women of every communion offered up earnest prayers for him. Those who
were of no communion thought with pity, sympathy, and sorrow of

A Power passing from the earth
To breathless Nature's dark abyss.

(M187) From every rank in social life came outpourings in every key of
reverence and admiration. People appeared--as is the way when death
comes--to see his life and character as a whole, and to gather up in his
personality, thus transfigured by the descending shades, all the best
hopes and aspirations of their own best hours. A certain grandeur
overspread the moving scene. Nothing was there for tears. It was "no
importunate and heavy load." The force was spent, but it had been nobly
spent in devoted and effective service for his country and his fellow-men.

From the Prince of the Black Mountain came a telegram: "Many years ago,
when Montenegro, my beloved country, was in difficulties and in danger,
your eloquent voice and powerful pen successfully pleaded and worked on
her behalf. At this time vigorous and prosperous, with a bright future
before her, she turns with sympathetic eye to the great English statesman
to whom she owes so much, and for whose present sufferings she feels so
deeply." And he answered by a message that "his interest in Montenegro had
always been profound, and he prayed that it might prosper and be blessed
in all its undertakings."

Of the thousand salutations of pity and hope none went so much to his
heart as one from Oxford--an expression of true feeling, in language worthy
of her fame:--

At yesterday's meeting of the hebdomadal council, wrote the
vice-chancellor, an unanimous wish was expressed that I should
convey to you the message of our profound sorrow and affection at
the sore trouble and distress which you are called upon to endure.
While we join in the universal regret with which the nation
watches the dark cloud which has fallen upon the evening of a
great and impressive life, we believe that Oxford may lay claim to
a deeper and more intimate share in this sorrow. Your brilliant
career in our university, your long political connection with it,
and your fine scholarship, kindled in this place o