256 BERTHA'S VISIT TO HER 



into the other like the joints of a lobster's tail, so 

 that when laid across the river they should adapt 

 themselves to the form of the bottom. He per- 

 fectly succeeded ; these flexible pipes have been 

 in use for twenty years, and the inhabitants have 

 been admirably supplied with this necessary of 

 life, through that great man's happy power of ob- 

 servation. 



llth. My aunt has been very unwell for the 

 last three days ; she is now recovering, but still 

 requires constant care. My cousins are most as- 

 siduous and tender nurses. They are attentive, 

 without being officious, and they arrange the 

 time of their attendance, so as to permit each to 

 have some leisure for her own daily occupations. 

 This gratifies my aunt particularly; I have fre- 

 quently heard her say, that it is a duty of those 

 who attend on the sick to be as cheerful as possi- 

 ble, and that nothing contributes to cheerfulness 

 so much as employment. She thinks it no proof 

 whatever of real sensibility, to lay aside all one's 

 usual pursuits because a friend or relation is ill ; 

 it only weakens the mind, and produces on the 

 countenance that expression of anxiety which dis- 

 tresses or alarms the patient. 



I do not know exactly what my aunt's illness 

 has been her eyes have been so much affected, 

 that she has been condemned for some time 

 to total idleness, and hitherto she has not been 



