Second and Third Visits to England. 195 



or thirteen days in winter will probably fetch you across ; 

 but I would not return till I had tried changing quarters, 

 and get good quarters if you change at all. Respecting 

 Spencer's affairs, I cannot write more till I have some- 

 thing to write, and I shall have nothing to write till I do 

 something myself. That I shall do as soon as I can. 



I wish Eliza would go to the British Museum, find the 

 transactions of the Royal Society, look over the list of con- 

 tributors from its foundation to 1860, and see how many 

 noblemen are among them. This is important, and has not 

 been done. I shall go into this field this English educa- 

 tion field next winter. It will be very popular and very 

 important. I wish she would also call on Miss Margaret 

 Jones, whose whereabouts can be learned at the " Home 

 Colonial," St. Chadd's Row. I think it is not far from your 

 place, and I would go there and hunt the woman out and 

 see her school. I would take a little whiskey and stir around. 

 It is Sunday night ; our folks are writing. 



Affectionately, E. L. Y. 



Sunday Evening, November 12, 1865. 



DEAR CHILDREN : To-morrow morning, Edward says, a 

 letter must start for Europe, and I thought I would drop a 

 few lines to you, so that you might not have it to say that 

 Pa never wrote to us while in Europe. And what shall I 

 say ? The first thing I have to say is that we are alive and 

 well, and I think Eliza will say that is a great blessing. It 

 is indeed, especially if we rightly improve it; and who does 

 rightly improve it ? Those only who glorify God, that they 

 may enjoy him forever. Think of it ! We have recently 

 had fresh proof of the uncertainty of life. We received a 

 letter last night from you, dated the latter part of October, 

 and were very glad to hear from you, and especially of 

 your resolution to write every week. It may stimulate us 

 to write oftener. We were sorry to hear that Eliza was so 

 miserable. No doubt you are homesick. If that be the 



