1844-54- LETTER OF SYMPATHY. 253 



affection for you. One thing has struck me when ill myself, 

 and when visiting others who were ill, viz. what depths there 

 are in every human heart, which only God can fill ! How 

 impossible it is to find words in which to express to others 

 some of the thoughts which stir our souls most. A remem- 

 brance of this gives me a very humble impression of what 

 I can do for another spirit on whom affliction is laid, and 

 makes me rather look to Him who in all the afflictions of His 

 people is afflicted, and .who, inasmuch as He hath suffered 

 being tempted, is able to succour us when we are tempted. 



" Were I beside you, so that we could speak together, 

 we should soon know each other as we are, and have open, 

 frank communion together. As it is, to write is to draw 

 the bow at a venture, and perhaps send the arrow wide of 

 the mark. 



" I shall do no more, accordingly, in this letter, than send 

 you affectionate good wishes. After making twice over 

 such a recovery from the severest inflammation of the eyes 

 as I did, although my constitution is so bad a one, far, far 

 worse than yours, so bad indeed that no Office will insure 

 my life, I look forward to news of your betterness with 

 cheerful hope ; and strongly feeling that I helped to over- 

 task your eyes by the demands which the Life of Cavendish 

 made upon them, I also look forward to your sending me 

 some work to do for you, whilst your eyes are resting for 

 the future labours which the great Taskmaster has in store 

 for them. And although out of our own works we shall 

 never get contentment, and ought not, if our standard is a 

 high one, it is assuredly a blessed reflection that God has 

 given us grace to think of Him in what we have done as 

 authors, and that however imperfectly we have laboured to 

 honour Him and serve our fellows, He has not left us 

 without some token that He has approved our work. 



