596 
From the same. 
My dear Sir, London, Feb. 25, 1813. 
You are very good in turning your thoughts to- 
wards us and our distresses. Indeed we have sus- 
tained a great loss: in one sense, perhaps, I the 
greatest ; for my poor daughter was possessed of a 
mind and understanding all usefulness and resource: 
I had depended upon her to arrange many matters 
in case of my death, having no idea but that she 
would have survived me. Nothing was too difficult 
for her comprehension; nothing happened cross 
and untoward but for which the resources of her 
mind could find some remedy or alleviation. But 
so was the will of God; and we have nothing to do 
but to accept his pleasure, and be thankful that no 
worse thing befell us. In all distress it is fruitless 
to look back and regret; we should only still press 
forward, and look to the comforts which still re- 
main. It is both our duty and our happiness so to 
do. What a gap is made in our little domestic so- 
ciety! What a permanent loss in every respect! 
Tam sorry to tell you that Sir J. Banks is very 
ill. Icalled there today, when the servant, with 
most mournful countenance, said he had been better 
yesterday, but was worse today. Sir Everard Home 
said this morning that he was rather alarmed about 
him. He is one that cannot be well replaced. I 
shall still hope that his strong constitution, as of 
iron, will carry him through. His servant described 
him to me as being in great pain. If this proceeds 
from gout, it is surely no bad symptom. Moderate 
