284 John Bachman. 



day. Go to the hotel, which is I hear, comfortable, 

 and send my letter, at once, to the Rev. Mr. Wolle. 



For some months you may feel alone in Bethle- 

 hem, and, if I have not misinterpreted your feelings, 

 you would welcome solitude and indulge in the 

 luxury of grief This is the course against which 

 I would strive to guard you. Your life, your health, 

 and the powers of your mind, are all essential for the 

 mental training and happiness of your children. 



In the days of youth and romance, I committed to 

 memory in the original nearly the whole of " Zirn- 

 mermann on Solitude" and fancied that to fly from 

 the world, and to indulge in melancholy thoughts, 

 would best promote virtue, and fit for heaven. 



In more mature life, and as age was advancing, 

 .my theory was put to the test. One blow of afflic- 

 tion after another fell on my head, and my daughters, 

 with their mother happy, because they were good, 

 were removed from me. I then found that faith and 

 trust in God, and the hope of a blessed resurrection, 

 together with constant occupation and the faithful 

 performance of duty, presented far higher claims to 

 the Christian, and were far better calculated to 

 assuage grief, than exclusion from the world and 

 retirement from its duties. 



While I am writing, the cold wind is driving- 

 snow flakes against my window, and the earth is 

 already lightly covered with a white mantle ; the 

 sight recalls to my mind the rigorous Winters of the 

 North, and almost disposes me to regret that you do 

 not postpone your visit until Spring. At any rate, 

 it suggests the necessity for warm clothing, heavy 

 flannels and cloaks to suit your Southern constitu- 

 tion but, in time, perhaps, you may even sound the 

 praises of the fur-muff and tippet. 



Soon, I hope, you will feel less lonely and more 

 composed. 



