Sir Lauder Brunton, BT., F.R.S.

Abstract

ON the 16th of the month this distinguished physician passed away after a long illness, borne with rare fortitude. Although retired from private practice, Brunton was far indeed from retirement in respect of those public causes to which, with the pious tenacity of his race, he devoted much of his life, and a fervour almost religious in its depth and constancy. Some weeks before his death the present writer had visited Lauder Brunton, and witnessed both the distress under which he laboured and the ingenious methods he had devised for keeping the evil at bay; not in the desire of a mere prolongation of life, though this indeed were no unworthy intention, but in order to cherish the fire of its last embers for those humane ends which he had so ardently at heart. It was therefore with admiration that, about three weeks before his decease, the writer received from his friend now silent a long and important letter covering certain documents and proposals on the subject of physical education, a movement to which, in his later years, Brunton had given no little energy and guidance, especially for the sake of children and young people, and which he was pressing forward almost with his latest breath. Fortunately, he has worked with comrades and assistants who- will not fail to keep his lamp alight, nor let any of his last counsels be forgotten.