COMMUNICATION FROM HIS DAUGHTER. 361 



and encouragingly that I never feared to go to him, lest he 

 should laugh at my jejune productions. In fact he never 

 ridiculed any for their ignorance of what to him was mere 

 ABC, but would patiently enlighten them, or direct 

 them to sources of information. He never decided dog- 

 matically upon any question or subject which was new to 

 him, but would say, " Such a thing might or might not be, 

 he would examine before he could decide." I recall a long 

 period of his life when he was intensely busy, early and 

 late, scarcely taking time for meals and sleep, yet he would 

 always spare a few moments most patiently to any one 

 needing aid or advice. He was never fretful or complain- 

 ing, making the best of all inconveniences, and finding some 

 way around all difficulties. Cheerful and hopeful, both con- 

 stitutionally and by reason of the Christian faith within, his 

 fortitude always helped to sustain the timid, and encourage 

 the hesitating. Detraction, mimicry, and ridicule of the 

 absent, were most repugnant to him, and would call forth 

 in any of his own family a rebuke that was keenly felt. His 

 anger, if he can be said to have manifested that quality, was 

 aroused by unkindness or injustice toward others, rarely 

 by any treatment of which he was the recipient. He was 

 not merely just, but liberal and generous to a proverb, 

 disdaining anything niggardly or underhanded, or mean, 

 intensely. 



No dread of being for hours alone with papa ever came 

 into our young minds, for we did riot fear him ; the only 

 thing we feared was his displeasure, and that was never 

 undeservedly incurred. Well do I remember, as I grew 

 older, the admiration I had for his noble presence, finished 

 manners, and elevated conversation, when he was in the 

 prime of his life. The polished exterior which Lord Ches- 

 terfield's rules might give, was with him the result of 

 Christian kindness and association with refined and culti- 

 vated people, irrespective of forms and conventionalities. 



He was an enthusiastic traveller, knowing where to find 



