vii.] MARRIED LIFE. 203 



attend the bedside of one whom I love so well, and who 

 I know would have conferred more benefit on me from 

 that bed of sickness than I could possibly have hoped to 

 communicate to him. Under present circumstances you 

 well know how impossible this is. I must satisfy myself 

 with imagining the pleasure which meeting your mother 

 and sister after so long an absence will give you, and with 

 indulging the hope that your good constitution and placid 

 temper may yet enable you to surmount the attack of 

 disease. Yet neither of us would blind ourselves to the 

 alternative of such a struggle. I have once, as you know, 

 found myself not far removed from those circumstances 

 in which you are now placed : abroad, and attacked by 

 a prolonged illness of doubtful termination, warned by a 

 medical friend at home, to whom Dr. Nasse's opinion had 

 been communicated, to prepare for a longer journey than 

 that to Italy. That was in 1843, and yet I am still here. 

 But the recollections of that solemn period fill my mind 

 with various and opposite emotions when so vividly 

 recalled by the circumstances of your state, dearest 

 Mackintosh. 



' In all things, I know, you have greatly the advantage 

 of me. Sincere and absolute will be your resignation. 

 How habitual and deep your repentance for the sins 

 and errors of your past life ; how natural and unfeigned 

 your trust in the Saviour whom you have constantly 

 believed in. I know how little, comparatively, I had 

 such grounds for comfort, and how unworthy I now 

 am to offer you spiritual consolation. But as I do feel 

 these things deeply, I see no good reason for suppressing 

 11. And on such subjects your thoughts will most 

 ly be turned with most pleasure when this letter 

 reaches you ; and should it be too fatiguing to you to 

 write, do, dearest Mackintosh, send me some friendly 

 message, your love and blessing, by the pen of one of 

 your fri'-nds and watchers; and think of me as one who 

 would ! present with ynu in l.ndy if he could, but most 

 certainly is so in soul and spirit : and that God Almighty 

 and our Saviour Christ may be with you now and ever, 



