The useful life of this philanthropist came to an end on New Year's Day, 1839. A few days previously he went to the house of his friend Edward Carter, Esq., who then lived in High Street, Portsmouth, to acknowledge certain acts of kindness done in behalf of his little scholars. While there, he saw the painting referred to at the beginning of this sketch, which that gentleman had purchased of Mr. Sheaf, the shoemaker-artist. The simple-minded man, whose love for dumb animals and domestic pets was one of the most amiable features in his character, seemed to be more pleased by finding his favorite _cat_ included in the picture than by any other part of the painting. He then showed Mr. Carter the writing and ciphering lessons of one of the pupils, and asked for aid in procuring copy-books. A day or two after this John Pounds again called on his friend, and while conversing with him on matters connected with the school, fell down as if fainting. Medical aid was called in, but John Pounds was dead before the doctor arrived. The body was conveyed to the little room in St. Mary's Street, where about thirty children were waiting for their teacher to come and commence the day's work, and "wondering what had become of him." Terror and grief seized upon the minds of the children when they saw the lifeless body of their kind teacher borne into the room and laid upon the bed. On the following day a group of children might have been seen standing at the door weeping because they could not be admitted. Day after day "the younger ones came, looked about the room, and not finding their friend, went away disconsolate." Mr. Martell, the physician who had been called in when Pounds was dying, asked the favor of being allowed to pay the expenses of the funeral. John Pounds was buried in the graveyard of the chapel in High Street where he had been a constant worshipper. A large number of people gathered round the grave, among whom the most conspicuous and sincere mourners were the children now bereaved of their teacher and best earthly friend. A tablet was placed on the wall of the High Street Chapel bearing the following inscription: ERECTED BY FRIENDS AS A MEMORIAL OF THEIR ESTEEM AND RESPECT FOR JOHN POUNDS; WHO, WHILE EARNING HIS LIVELIHOOD BY MENDING SHOES, GRATUITOUSLY EDUCATED AND, IN PART, CLOTHED AND FED, SOME HUNDREDS OF POOR CHILDREN. HE DIED SUDDENLY ON THE FIRST OF JANUARY 1839, AGED 72 YEARS. "THOU SHALT BE BLESSED:--FOR THEY CANNOT RECOMPENSE THEE."