STEWARTFIELD. 15] 



" StewautfielDj IGth August 1832. 

 "When I was taking my saunter before breakfast 

 among the clew-besprinkled larches of this sweet solitude, 

 the flunkey came down upon me from the house with 

 your most welcome epistle. It refreshes my heart's core 

 to hear such good accounts of your health, and it is my 

 morning, and evening, and mid-day prayer that the same 

 delightful state should continue. I have to thank you 

 for such long and particular accounts, and I will not at 

 present quarrel with your anxieties on my account; 

 although 1 was in hopes, from what I had said as to the 

 frequent intervals which must elapse between my letters, 

 you would have made up your mind to what was un- 

 avoidable. Even during what has certainly been a period 

 of enjoyment, I have often wished that I had wings that 

 I might flee away to my much-loved home, and be at rest 

 in the society of those who are now dearer to me than all 

 the world besides. But I knew that you dwelt under the 

 shadow of those Almighty wings which encompass the 

 world, and I felt satisfied that no plague would come 

 nigh your dwelling. I am, indeed, most thankful that 

 you now enjoy your sweet home. I had previously re- 

 joiced in your last letter addressed to Blair- Athol, and 

 yesterday morning Dr Greville and myself, with elastic 

 heels and light hearts, bade adieu to our kind friends at 

 the manse, and walked down the country through the 



