1838-39- DEATH OF A COUSIN. 71 



On March 26th, he writes : " How very mournfully you are 

 circumstanced at home ! I shall soon be with you and find 

 myself in the midst of all the sorrow ; till then, I am the 

 occasional sufferer from sad reflections, but I do not revolve 

 these subjects half so often as I should do, being engrossed 

 too much about far less profitable things. My Thesis has 

 knocked everything else out of my head. I had a severe 

 fit of sickness after finishing it, which does not seem to have 

 left my head clear yet." Referring to this letter he says, ten 

 days later : 



" I wrote to father yesterday, in reply to a kind letter 

 from him, saying that I should certainly return at the time 

 I stated. I must return immediately and study for my 

 passing. 



" They must all excuse me not writing, as I shall be so 

 soon home, that I may much better keep what I have to 

 say till I come home, than hastily scrawl it from here. How 

 cold and sad and dull everything seems ! I have had 

 nothing but disappointments, cruel disappointments, all 

 winter, and you have had disease and death for your 

 portion. 



" Before I come home to you, I shall run into Kent for 

 two days, and snatch a look at the old cathedrals. 



" You are better, I am very glad to hear, and Mary is 

 better, and Jeanie and Jessie are well, all which things do 

 greatly gladden me, and enhance the pleasure with which I 

 contemplate my return. Meanwhile, I remain, your sin- 

 cerely attached son, " GEORGE." 



His departure for home was unexpectedly hastened by in- 

 telligence of Catherine Russell's death. Though prepared 

 in a measure for this sad news, yet the brothers were taken 

 by surprise ; so great is the marvellous change from life to 



