Beethoven received the sacraments of the Roman church, and at about one in the afternoon of the same day he sank into apparent unconsciousness, and a distressing conflict with death began which lasted the rest of that day, the whole of the next day, and until a quarter of six on the evening of the day following. As the evening closed in, there came a sudden storm of hail and snow, covering the ground and roofs of the Schwarzspanierplatz, and followed by a flash of lightning, and an instant clap of thunder. So great was the crash as to arouse even the dying man. He opened his eyes, clinched his fist, and shook it in the air above him. This lasted a few seconds while the hail rushed down outside, and then the hand fell, and the great composer was no more. _Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians._ BELLARMINO (Cardinal Roberto), 1542-1621. "_It is safest to trust in Jesus_," to one who enquired whether it is safer to trust in the Virgin Mary than in Jesus. BENTHAM (Jeremy, English philosopher and jurist, author of "Defence of Usury," "Theory of Penalties and Rewards," "The Rationale of Judicial Evidence," "Panopticon," and many other works of interest and value. He devoted much of his time and ability to the development of the theory that "Utility is the test and measure of virtue"), 1748-1832. "_I feel now that I am dying._" BERENGER (de Tours, celebrated French ecclesiastic), 998-1088. "_I shall not long hesitate between conscience and the Pope, for I shall soon appear in the presence of God, to be acquitted, I hope; to be condemned, I fear._" "No more 'twixt conscience staggering and the Pope, Soon shall I now before my God appear: By him to be acquitted, as I hope; By him to be condemned, as I fear."--_Coleridge._ Berenger opposed the dogmas of Transubstantiation and the Real-Presence. His teachings were condemned by Pope Leo IX. in 1050. BERGERUS (councillor to the Emperor Maximilian), "_Farewell, O farewell all earthly things, and welcome heaven._" BERKELEY (George, Bishop of Cloyne, metaphysical philosopher and author), 1684-1753. The last words of Berkeley are not recorded, but the peacefulness and suddenness of his death are interesting. One evening he and his family were sitting and drinking tea together; he on one side of the fire, and his wife on the other, and his daughter making the tea at a little round table just behind him. She had given him one dish which he had drunk. She had poured out another which he left standing some time. "Sir," said she, "will you not take your tea?" Upon his making no kind of an answer, she stooped forward and looked at him, and found that he was dead. _Life of Bishop Berkeley._