I844-54- LOVE FOR CHILDREN. 235 



a fellow-chemist, being almost a stranger to his hostess. 

 Next morning he entered the drawing-room, where she 

 happened to be alone, and said, on bidding her farewell, 

 " Whenever I receive kindness and hospitality from friends 

 who have families, I make a point of remembering their 

 children in my prayers. Yours will be so remembered 

 henceforth." To one of his little brides a tender interest 

 attaches, as the subjoined memoranda show : 



"In the island of Arran, in the summer of 1852, it was 

 our privilege to have George Wilson for a day or two as 

 our guest. We had not known him previously ; but as was 

 his wont, he glided at once into the warmest corner of our 

 hearts, and ever after kept his place. The secret of his 

 influence was love, and the knowledge that even in its 

 happy interchange 'it is more blessed to give than to 

 receive.' 



" He was especially attracted by our little Lucy, a child 

 of four years, whose winning ways and bright intelligence 

 delighted and surprised him. She met his advances 

 cordially, and from that time he always called her his 

 betrothed. 



" The intellect then prematurely developed continued to 

 brighten, and apparently to strengthen, for a year or two, 

 culminated at the age of six, and then, under the clouding 

 influence of brain disease, waned gradually, and before dear 

 Lucy had attained her seventh birthday, had touched the 

 western horizon, where, though speechless, it still faintly 

 glimmers, and where we trust it will continue to do so, till it 

 sinks into the light of heaven. 



" George Wilson, as all who knew him will readily believe, 

 became ever more and more tenderly interested in his 

 afflicted bride ; and we do not think that any more striking 

 evidence could be presented, at once of the deep humanity 



