312 THE LAST SUMMERS AND WINTERS. 



I dream, more especially as my own illness lias, in some 

 measure, prevented my seeing with my bodily eye the 

 grievous blank, however sorely I may feel it. I pray God, 

 who gives and takes away, that all of us, yourself more 

 especially, as the great sufferer, may be consoled and sup- 

 ported. Let us look also to the blessings which remain, 

 and I need scarcely assure you how anxious all of us here 

 will ever be to miirster to your comfort, and to the well- 

 being of your children. — I am yours affectionately/' &c. 



TO THE REV. J. HAMILTON, D.D. 



" Lesketh How, Ambleside, 9th April 1855. 



" My DEAR Sir, — I have frequently had you in mind 

 of late from the feeling of an unanswered note being 

 somewhere in my possession. My niece Henrietta replied 

 to it pro tempore. I had a prolonged and severe illness 

 during winter and early spring, and although greatly 

 better for some little time, I continue to feel the act or 

 attitude of writing very irksome, and indeed painful if 

 prolonged more than a minute or two. Even in this 

 respect I am now better, and hope to be soon fit for some 

 kind of work. I have a good deal before me in conse- 

 quence of winter arrears. 



" We have come up here for change of air, and to avoid 

 the Edinburgh east winds. We are with old friends, 



