Note 274 — Chapter XVII · Commercial Politics—The Albion Mills—Riots in Cornwall—Prosperity of Boulton and Watt.

Two days after this event, when about to set out for Polgooth, a messenger arrived at Boulton’s lodgings, bringing him the sad news of Mr. Phillips’s sudden death. He describes the scene at the funeral, at which Catherine Phillips, though strongly urged by him to stay away, insisted on being present. “She was attended by a widow lady who had lost a good husband last year, and though she had not been accustomed to speak in the congregation of the righteous, yet on this occasion she stood with her hand upon her husband’s coffin and spoke above an hour, delivering one of the most pathetic discourses I ever heard.” A large concourse of people attended the interment, which took place in a garden near Redruth. Boulton, in writing to Mrs. Boulton, said, “I wish I had time to give you the history and character of my departed friend, as you know but little of his excellences. I cannot say but that I feel a gloomy pleasure in dwelling upon the life and death of a good man: it incites to piety and elevates the mind above terrestrial things. Now, let me ask you to hold a silent meeting in your heart for half an hour and then return to your work.”