for the Vice-Presidency and Professorship of Philosophy.
In 1795 Father James Buckley was elected Superior and appointed Professor of Philosophy, and at the same time the Rev. James Dennet became Procurator. Mr. Benjamin Smith a classmate of the two former, whose remarkable gifts had strongly recommended him to Father Fryer, had been long before destined by him to the office of Superior to the College. He was, however, unexpectedly seized with an illness which, after some months, ended in death. A remarkable incident associated with his death is worthy of record.
From his boyhood whilst at Sedgley Park, he was remarkable for piety and an intense concentration of his mind upon God in prayer. At College he endeared himself to his companions and Superiors by his humility, exact observance of the Rules, and fervour of devotion. Almost to the end of his studies he had enjoyed good health, but in 1795 he was suddenly seized with a fainting fit which proved to be the commencement of his last illness. In spite of every attention he gradually grew worse, but during all his sufferings ever manifested marks of a wonderful love of God. When all hope of his recovery had ceased, one day, October 18, a certain Sister Barbara, a member of the Bridgittine English Community of nuns, then existing in Lisbon, was earnestly praying for him, and suddenly seemed to see an altar upon which a candle was burning, and at the side of which stood an angel who, turning towards her, said "Tomorrow at nine o clock in the evening this light shall be extinguished," when he had uttered these words the whole vision vanished. The Sister begging of God that He would deign to explain the meaning of what she had seen, it was made known to her that the burning light represented Benjamin Smith, and that at the hour indicated he would pass out of this world. This was communicated by letter to the Rev. M. Corbishley who was the nun's confessor, and by him to the other Superiors. The prophecy was verified by the event. On the following day, about six in the evening the agony com-
