On the whole, after this first formidable attack it began to be manifest that life was but a continued unequal struggle against manifold besieging forces. From this time, though he often spoke hopefully of his state of health, he must have anticipated as far from improbable that any day or hour might bring a rapidly fatal onset of his malady. Towards his friends, during this interval, all that was sweetest in his disposition seemed to gain strength and expansion from the near shadow of death. He spoke of death with entire fearlessness, and though this was nothing new to those who knew him best, it impressed their minds at this time more vividly than ever. The less they dared to hope for his life being prolonged, the more their love and regard were deepened by his tender thoughtfulness for others, and the kindliness which annihilated all absorbing concern for himself. In many little characteristic touches of humour, frankness, beneficence, beautiful gratitude for any slight help or attention, his truest and best nature seemed to come out all the more freely; he grew, as it were, more and more entirely himself indeed. If ever a man was true to philosophy, or a man's philosophy true to him, it was so with Terrier during all the time when he looked death in the face and possessed his soul in patience. As the light of all his friendships shone ever with steadier brightness, past animosities sank out of sight. At a time when he was too ill to see any visitor, the card was brought to him of a former opponent on philosophical questions,
