 But here the historian's task was to terminate, and terminate most unexpectedly and abruptly.On 4 August 1835, he was suddenly taken unwell; a stupor succeeded, from which it was impossible to rouse him; and on the following day he breathed his last, without a groan or struggle, but insensible to the presence of his grieving friends who were assembled round his death-bed.Thus died in his sixty-third year of age.