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IL, FEMX FAT!HE'S LAST HOURS.…

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IL, FEMX FAT!HE'S LAST HOURS. PATHETICI SCENES AT THE END, President Felix Faure died at ten p.m. on Thursday last at Paris of an apoplectic seizure. It had been known for some time that M. Faure suffered from a. heart affection. The first intimation that he was worse than usual came at half-paat six this evening, when a message was despatched to M. Dupny, the Premier, announcing that the President had been taken ill. The Premier, accompanied by his brother —M. Adrien Dupuy—went immediately to the Elysee, where they remained until the end. The flag over the Elysee was half-masted as Boon as the President had passed away, and the Cabinet of the Elysee immediately com municated the sad event to official personages, the military governor of Paris, the Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour, the Pre- fects of the Seine and of Police, and the Presi- dents of the Chamber and the Senate pro- ceeded at on to the Elysee. The news spread rapidly through Paris, and a considerable number of persons assembled in the vicinity of the Elysee. M. Dupuy, who was with Presi- dent Faure when the end came, communicated the sad intelligence to the Presidents of the Chamber and the Senate and to the Ministers. He also addressed the following dispatch to the Prefects and Sub-Prefects:—"I have the sad task to announce to you the death of the President of the Republic, which occurred this evening at ten o'clock as the result of an apoplectic stroke. Kindly take the necessary measures to inform the population imme- diately of the mourning which has fallen upon the Republic. The Government counts upon your active vigilance at this painful junc- ture." The following details have transpired regarding the President's last hours. At six o'clock M. Fanre, who was then in his study, opened the door leading into a. room occupied by M. Le Gall. and said to the latter, "I do not feel well; come to me." M. Le Gall immediately ran to the President and assisted him to the sofa standing in the roorft. He then summoned General Bail- lond, M. Btondel, and Dr. Humbert, who hap- pened to be in the Elysee at the time on a vsit. to his godfather, Major Humbert. M. Faure's condition at first did not appear ex- tremely grave, but, as Dr. Humbert saw that he was growing momentarily worse, Drs. Lanne- lofigne and Cheurlot were summoned by tale- phone. These were later joined by Dr. Bergeroy, ard all the medical men assembled soon saw that M Faure's condition was extremely serious, although he still maintained full consciousness. Towards eight o'clock the doctors informed Madame Vaure, Mdlle. Lucie Faure, and Madame Berge, a married daughter of M. Faure, and her husband, of the President's desperate condi- tiot1. They all entered the room where the President was still lying on the sofa, which had beea transformed into a temporary bed. M. Faure began soon after to lose consciousness, and, notwithstanding the care which was lavished on him. breathed his last at ten o'clock exactly. In Paris the news did not become generally known until close upon eleven o'clock. From that hour onwards there was a constant stream of visitors, most of them political per- sonages, at the Elysee, but strict orders had been issued to allow none but Ministers to enter. A Central News telegram from Paris on Fri- day morning says:—Nothing has occurred during the last few days that could have enabled anyone to foresee the probability of the blow France sustained yesterday. The President had not altered his habits of work or recreation in the slightest degree, and had regularly kept up his daily horse ride. He had eaten and slept with healthy regularity, He had. nevertheless, remarked once or twice to M. Le Gall how "soft" his legs were, meaning that they seemed weak. On Wednesday morn- ing he arose at his usual hour, namely, seven. He had beforehand told his groom that he was going for a ride for half an hour. He returned at half-past seven, and went to his private room. He dined with the family on Wednes- day night, and retired at his usual time, ten o'clock. Before retiring he sent word by his ralet that the horse was not to be saddled, and that he would not go for his ride the next morning. M. Le Gall saw the President with reference to the change of plan. M. Faure was then (a quarter to seven) in his dressing-room, and told M. Le Gall that he did not feel unwell, but that he felt indisposed for any tiring exer- cise. On Thursday morning the President was in his study by seven o'clock, and com- menced the day's work as usual by glancing at the dispatches which had arrived during the night. He presided at the Cabinet Council in the forenoon, and was then, to all appearances, well, and spoke with perfect clearness, and at the close of the meeting none of the Ministers could have suppooed that they were shaking the President's hand for the last time. He had dejeuner at noon, and at two o'clock he went to Le Gall's room. and there spent the rest of the afternoon in a fauteuil in the corner by the fireplace, talking with his secretary. Abont five o'clock the President set about the task of signing the various decrees. &c., which General Baflloud, in accordance with usual custom, had brought to the Elysee. The signing of these documents over, the general retired. Some minutes afterwards the President opened the door of his room, which communicates with that of M. Le Gall, and said to him. "Come quick: I feel ill." Le (hill hurried to his help, for he staggered, and led him to a seat on a small sofa in the apartment. The President was holding his hand to hi3 head, and repeated over and over again, "I am not well; I am not well." At this time the President was quite conscious, and able to recognise his friends. Dr. Humbert, the father of Commandant Humbert, one of the officers of the military establishment of the President, happened to be at the Elystse, and he was sum- moned to the room. He, however, did not see at first the serious state of the President. When he did not revive, however, Dr. Humbert decided to make an injection of caffeine. The President was aware of his position. "I feel myself going; I am lost!" he cried. He expressed a desire to see Mme. Faure, who came to him imme- diately, with Mdlle. Lucie Faure, whilst M. and Mme. Berge, the President's daughter and son- in-law, were also summoned. About eight o'clock Dr. Jaunelongue arrived, and. after an examination, informed M. Le Gall of the true state of affairs and the critical condition of the President. M. Le Gall informed M. Dupuy of the seriousness of the case. It was decided, however, for the sake of avoiding unnecessary alarm to the family, that M. Dupuy should remain at the Ministry of the Interior, close to the Elysee, ready to be at the Elysee at the first summons. In the meanwhile he notified the members of the Cabinet of the President's illness. The President was all this while still seated on the sofa. and more than onoe sa'd that he was under no illusion as to his fate. Then. taking his wife by the hand, he bade her farewell, and thanked her for the affection she had always bone him. He likewise made bis adieux to his children, to M. Le Gall. and to his household. He then sank back upon the sofa, and lost consciousness, and the restora- tives, which were administered freely, failed to revive him. In the meantime, M. Dupuy, per- ceiving all hope was lost, had arrived at the Elysee. Before losing consciousness M. Faure spoke in very affectionate terms to M. Le Gall, whom he thanked for his loyal assistance to him during his term as President. Then calling his maitre d'hotel to his side, he reminded him that at times he had treated him rather harshly, and asked him to forget what had occurred. He also said Good-bye to his valet. It was then just on nine o'clock. The President became worse, and, although leeches were applied by the doctor, he lost con- jciousness almost immediately afterwards. Drs. Bergeson, Cheurlot, and Potin soon arrived at the Elysee. M. Dupuy had preceded them, having been informed that all hope had been given up. At ten o'clock the President breathed hia last without regaining consciousness, the cause of deata being cerebral hemorrhage. Some minutes before the end. in accordance with the repeated request of Mme. Faure and her daughters, a priest was sent for, and Major Moreau, meeting an abbe, begged him to come to the Elysee. The abbe administered the last sacrament to the President of the Re- public. Mme. Louis Darthon, an intimate friend of the Faure family, who had hastened to the Elysee with her husband, was unremit- ting in her attentions to Mme. Faure. EVEN THL DOCTOR SURPRISED. Dr. Lannelongue, who was interviewed by a representative of the "Echo de Paris" last night, gave the following account of the de- ceased's last moments:—"When I entered his abom the President's condition was already very serious. He was fully aware how serious it was. 1 am very ill,' he said to me, and, in fact. there was from the first no hope of saving him. Ataxy came on almost immediately, and paralysis of the left side supervened. At last, the patient sank into an absolute coma, and at ten o'clock he expired, without having been able to apeak during his last moments. It was, in short, an apoplectic stroke, and one could see from the first that no attentions he could receive would be of any avail. The President had shown no previous symptoms, but had merely experienced diminution of appetite, which could give rise to no anxiety. I was, therefore, much surprised to see him struck down so suddenly. He had latterly had no tiring official duties to perform, but the Fashoda affair had deeply affected and acutely impressed him. It had caused him genuine grief, which had been further aggravated by the Dreyfus affair. He was very anxious about the internal and external situation of France. It is a misfortune—a very great misfortune," concluded Dr. Lannelongue. M. Lockroy recounts that M. Faure. at yesterday's Cabinet Council, over which he presided, took him aside, and asked him to communicate certain documents. These were brought to the Elysee at four o'clock in the afternoon. The President received them. quietly examined them at length, and charged the bearer to thank him (M. Lockroy) for send- ing them. And now." adds M. Lockroy, I have just seen him dead. I can hardly believe it is true." M. Loubet says: This good citizen will be universally regretted." SCENE IN THE DEATH CHAMBER. A journalist who was admitted to the death chamber gives the following description of the scene:—"The President is lying on a brass bed- stead, placed at the bottom of the rotunda facing the garden. The face displays great serenity. One would rathtr think he is asleep than dead. He is dreesed in a white shirt. His hands are crossed or the arms on a level with the breast. Two nuns are seated to the right and left of the bed, while M. Le Gall, Mme. Blondel, and officers of the military household keep watch. On a chair to the right a.re still the last hat and the last pair of gloves worn by the President. The grief of Mme. Faure and her children is painful to witness. It is heartrending. Mme. Faure, who was only with the greatest difficulty separated from her husband, occupies M. Le Gall's room. Mdlle. Lucie Fanre, Mme. Berge. and M. Berge arp in the cabinet of the Secretary-General. Th mother has separated herself from her children in order more freely to indulge her grief. Mme. Faure is surrounded by devoted persons, who vainly endeavour to console her." The small room in which the President died is well known to all who have been received in audience by the Chief of State. It is rectangular in shape, with a rotunda at one end, and overlooks the garden of the Elysee. The furniture consists of six Louis Seize fauteuils in white painted wood, upholstered in Beauvais tapestry on a blue ground. The fire-place is of white marble. The Presidential writing-desk is in Empire style. The sofa on which M. Faure breathed his last is similar in design and upholstering to the fauteuils. It is placed to the right of the desk. HOW THE TIDINGS WERE RECEIVED IN PARIS. The news of the President's death caused a great sensation on the Boulevards, and epread rapidly through the city. It became known in most of the theatres before the end of the performance, and the audiences were greatly moved. In the streets the newsvendors at once stopped selling their journals, and rushed to the Rae du Croissant, to await the issue of special editions with the intelligence. At one o'clock this morning several newspapers were already on sale. They contained the announce- ment of the President's death in large type, and a few lines regarding his last moments. At the corner of the Boulevard and the Fau- bourg Montmartre a transparency displayed by the "Journal des Sports" conveyed the intelligence to the people of the quarter, and attracted a large crowd. The news was not generally known in the official world until about half-past eleven last night. at which time Ministers began to arrive at the Elysee. MM. Guillain and Viger did not know of M. Faure's death before half-past twelve this morning. Shortly after midnight the new3 began to spread through the city. On leaving the theatres many persons made their way to the Elysee, outside which a, large crowd soon assembled. The gates of the palace had been shut immediately after M. Faure's death, and the polica were stationed in front of them. The concierge would allow no strangers to enter the building, and even visitors whom he knew by sight had in many cases the greatest diffi- culty in obtaining admittance. A visitors' list was left out with the concierge. At one o'clock this morning a group of deputies, including MM. Mesnrenr, Berteaux, and Doumergue, pro- ceeded to the Elysee. Naturally, much emo- tional excitement was caused by-the President's unexpected end, but no incident of any parti- cular importance is reported. BRITISH SYMPATHY FOR FRANCE. The news of President Faure's sudden and tragic death was on Friday con- firmed by direct intelligence received at the French Embassy in London from Paris, and the tricolour was promptly hoisted to half-mast. M. Cambon, French Ambassador, at once cancelled his engagement to speak at a distribution of prizes of the National Association of French Masters at the Mansion House to-day (Saturday), and the Lord Mayor subsequently postponed the fixture until next month. Whatever may be the merits or nature of occasional differences between France and this country, so melan- choly all event as the demise of the Chief magistrate of the Republic throws all disputes into the shade, and the death of M. Faure has evoked in this country deep and general sym- pathy and regret. These feelings have found expression in the form of telegrams, letters, and personal visits to the French Embassy to such a, number that, in the opinion of officials who remember the outburst of indignation and sympathy following the assassination of President Carnot, there has been nothing like it before, not even excepting that melancholy occasion. The Queen and members of her family were, as ever, well to the fore in giving evidence of their ready sympathy and sorrow. Members of the Government, the people of London (through the Lord entire Corps Diplomatique, and persons from all parts of the kingdom followed "^ith similar ex- pressions in one form or another. Sir Arthur Bigge, the Queen's private secretary, was among the earliest callers upon the Ambas- sador. He stated that he had been com- manded by the Queen to verbally express her deep sympathy with the French people, and added that her Majesty was the more strongly impressed by the suddenness and sadness of the event because of the feelings of amity existing between the President and herself. He also intimated that her Majesty had sent a direct terrain to Madame Faure. The Prince of Wales, who was personally acquainted with the late President Faure, lost no time in telegraphing direct to Madame Faure, and his equerry-in-waiting was among the callers at the Embassy. The Duke and Duchess of York, Princess Louise, and the Prince and Princess Christian also sent their representatives. Lord Salisbury, in the name of the Government. sent a telegram of condolence to the French Govern- ment, and his principal private secretaries both called upon M. Cambon on his behalf. The Lord Mayor of London wired to M. Cambon an expression of sympathy on behalf of the citizens of London, and his Excellency replied that he ;was greatly moved b.v the sympathy tendered by hi lord- ship, which he was conveying to the French Government. Lord Rosebery was the earliest of all sympathisers who presented themselves at the Embassy at Albert Gate, and among others who called during the day or sent repre- sentatives were Lord Rothschild, the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, Lord George Hamilton, Mr. Goschen, Mr. Austen Chamberlain, the Bishop of London, Sir Henry Campbell-Banner- man. the Speaker, the Earl of Hopetoun (Lord Chamberlain), Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, and officials of nearly every Embassy and^Legation in London. THE QUEEN'S MESSAGE. The following is the text of the telegram of condolence which Queen Victoria has addressed to Sir Edmund Monson, British Ambassador in Paris:—"Convey to Madqme Faure the assurance of my profound sympathy and sincere regrets in the painful blow which has just fallen upon her, as well as upon the whole of France." LEGISLATORS' TRIBUTE. In the Senate M. Loubet read M. Dupuy's letter announcing the death of the President of the Republic. After reading it M. Loubet said the entire Senate would share the Sorrow expressed by the Premier, and would join in the mourning which had fallen on the whole of France. He sketched the career of the late President, who from a humble rank had by industry, intelligence, and perseverance raised himself to the highest position in the State. M. Felix Faure, he added, in the exercise of his exalted duties held firmly aloft the flag of the country. He succeeded in retaining his serenity in profoundly troubled times. He upheld the greatness o fthe country, and pre- served the dignity of France in the Concert of Europe. (Cheers.) The entire Senate would join in the sympathies and regrets caused by his loss, and in sending an expression of them to the family of the President. (Renewed cheers.) M. Loubet proceeded to announce that the National Assembly would meet to-morrow, and proposed that. as a sign of mourning, the Senate should adjourn until next Tuesday. This was agreed to, and the Senate adjourned accord- ingly. On the opening of the Chamber M. Deschanel read the letter from M. Dupuy announcing the death of M. Felix Faure. He pronounced a warm eulogy upon the deceased President, and begged all Frenchmen to unite around his coffin. (Cheers.) The President con- cluded by proposing that the sitting should be adjourned forthwith in Tgn of mourning, re- serving to himself the right of summoning the Chamber for a sitting later on. M. Deschanel's speech made a deep impression upon his hearers. The Deputies left the Chamber in profound silence. THE LYING IN STATE AT THE ELYSEE. After having been embalmed the body of M. Felix Faure was placed upon an imposing catafalque in the Salle des Fetes of the Elysee. The corpse, dressed in black, with the broad ribbon of the Legion of Honour, is covered by a black velvet pall as far as the chest, upon which the hands are crossed. A tricolour flag is draped over the feet. Thirty-two tall candles surround the catafalque, at the four corners of which stand four Infantry soldiers at attention. On either side are five prie-dieu, at which nuns are kneel- ing. The crystal chandeliers are covered with crape, and the columns which support the cata- falque with tricolour flags. The features of the deceased President are drawn as in pain, a cir- cumstance due, it is said, tQ- the haste with which the embalming operations had to be carried out. The immense salle where the body lies in sta.te is being rapidly filled with wreaths, including one from the German Emperor, of violets and orchids, surmounted with the initial "W." and an Imperial crown, and two from the Czar and Czarina, both of violet orchids, with cards pinned to them, on which is the inscription, "To our ally, to our friend." The wreath sent in the name of the French Govern. ment, consisting of orchids, was 50 vast that four men could barely cairy it. Tele- grams of sympathy have been received by Madame Felix Faure from all the crowned heads of Europe, and from the King of Siam. The German Emperor's telegram runs thus: -"Profoundly moved by the news of the decease of your illustrious spouse, I am eager to prove to you the sincere part which I take in your cruel loss. The Empress joins with me in forming the most ardent wish that Almighty God may accord you strength to bear up under your overwhelming grief." President Kruger telegraphed:—"I have just learned with great sorrow the sad news of the decease of your husband, and I give you the assurance of my most sincere sympathy in the irreparable loss which has so suddenly befallen you. May God grant you strength and consolation in this hour of trial." The telegram from the Sultan Abdul Hamid was as follows:—"I have this moment heard with deepest emotion the news of the death of your illustrious husband, and hasten to express to you my regrets at this mournful event." On Sunday, at the instance of the placed in a coffin in the presence of M. Dupuy and officers of the Presidential household. During the afternoon large numbers of people visited the Elysee, and defiled past the body. A DISCORDANT NOTE IN THE FRENCH CHAMBER. In the Chamber of Deputies on Monday M. Dupuy moved that a sum of 160,000 francs be voted to defray the expenses connected with the obsequies of the late President Faure. He stated that 80,000 francs of the amount would be appropriated for the celebration of services V' abroad. Urgency was asked for, the motion, and the debate was immediately opened. —M. De Jeanti (Socialist) submitted an amend- ment to the effect that the obsequies should be of a purely civil character. His remarks in support of his amendment occasioned great uproar. Protests from the Right and Centre were especially loud, and several members of these groups even threatened to leave the House.—M. Paul Deschanel, the President of the Chamber, several times interrupted the speaker, appealing to him to respect the grief of the mourning family.—The amendment was rejected by 444 votes against 68. and the credit asked for was granted by 463 votes against 42. —It was unanimously decided that the mem- bers of the Chamber should assemble at the Elysee on Thursday to witness the transfer of the remains of the late President from the catafalque to the hearse, although the official procession will form at Notre Dame. The official mourning for the late President will last thirty days. The "Journal" states that M. Faure was re- solved. in the event of war becoming inevi- table, to sign the order for mobilisation with- out waiting for the vote of the Chamber, which would have delayed the mobilisation of the forces forty-eight hours. QUEEN'S REPRESENTATIVE AT THE FUNERAL. The Earl of Pembroke has been appointed to represent the Queen at the funeral on Thurs- day.

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