228 Mary Somerville. 



I am again in my family and in the field of my 

 ministry. 



But very dear to me are my associations with scenes 

 and friends in England ; and most glad should I be if I 

 could renew that intercourse with yourself, and with the 

 intellect and virtue around you, to which I have been 

 indebted for great happiness, and which, I hope, has 

 done something to qualify me for a more efficient service. 

 Will you please to present my very sincere respects to 

 your husband, and to recall me to the kind remembrance 

 of your children. With the highest respect and regard, 

 allow me to call myself, 



Your friend, 



JOSEPH TUCKERMAN. 



I think it must have been on returning from the 

 American station, or may he later in the career of 

 my father's life, that a circumstance occurred which 

 distressed him exceedingly. Highway robberies were 

 common on all the roads in the vicinity of London, 

 but no violence was offered. My father was travel- 

 ling alone over Blackheath when the postilion was 

 ordered to stop, a pistol presented at my father, and 

 his purse demanded. My father at once recognised 

 the voice as that of a shipmate, and exclaimed, 

 " Good God 1 I know that voice ! can it be 



young ? I am dreadfully shocked; I have 



a hundred pounds which shall be yours come into 



