National Historical Publications by the Master of the Rolls; but it should here be stated that in the revision of this work he received great assistance from his eldest son, Mr. John Roche Dasent, C.B., who is himself engaged at the present time in editing the Acts of the Privy Council of England, a task left unfinished by Sir Harris Nicolas.
The publication of these two Sagas completed the labours of more than half a century devoted to the popularisation of the literature of Scandinavia and its bearings upon the history of England. His contemplated Life of Pelane, whose vast and unique correspondence passed into his keeping, and fortunately escaped the flames at Tower Hill, is withheld from publication for the present, though it will surely see the light when the times are ripe for it to be given to the world.[1]
Dasent's once iron frame at last began to break down, and a gradual decay of his powers set in. For the last year and a half of his life he was confined to his room "by a distressing malady, which he bore with admirable fortitude, rarely uttering a word of complaint, though he suffered constant and acute pain. The end came on Thursday, June llth, 1896, when he passed away, surrounded by his family, at his house at Tower Hill, overlooking the wild landscape of Bagshot Heath, and the woodlands of Swinley which he loved so well.
- ↑ Delane wrote to Reeve, October 22nd, 1874:—"The world moves too quickly for long intervals of suppressed publication," a propos of the Times review of the Greville Memoirs. Dasent wrote the article referred to, and sat up all night to finish it, as was his wont when absorbed in his subject.
