Page:Historical account of Lisbon college.djvu/141

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HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF LISBON COLLEGE.
131

of Humanities once or oftener in the year to compose a Latin oration to be delivered by his pupils on the occasion of the Examinations. The present practice of delivering speeches in English or other modern language by the Classical students was substituted for it, a change which if perhaps less academical was decidedly more useful.

In the August of 1852, there came to an end the long and in many respects the most important Presidency of Dr. Winstanley. For years age and infirmity had weighed upon him but in the July of this year, disease of the heart developed itself, for which the physicians declared there was no cure. He received this intimation with calmness and devoted his attention to preparing himself for the passage into eternity. He suffered at times great anguish through the defective circulation of the blood, and to his physical pain it pleased God to add severe spiritual trials, thus purifying the soul of His servant more perfectly, and opening to him a more speedy reward, to which he was called on the Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the following day he was buried in the cemetery adjoining the College garden as he had requested. He had lived in the College for sixty-seven years during thirty-two of which he held the office of President, dying in his eightieth year.

Mention has already been made of the years of devoted labour in the service of God and the salvation of souls which, whilst still young, he spent in attending the sick and wounded of the British army during the Peninsular War. Ever forgetful of himself and regardless of the personal sacrifice which it involved, he assiduously attended upon the sick in the hospitals and by exhortation and " instruction publicly and privately sought to promote the spiritual interests of those in health, nor is it on record that he ever received even the thanks of the British Government for the years of devoted work which he unstintedly gave to the religious needs of the Catholic