334 John Bachman. 



and to make her life as pleasant as kindness and 

 devoted affection can render it. She bears all with 

 great patience and submission. She is in my study 

 seated by my side. 



We are sorry that you have not been well. Aunt 

 Maria begs me to say to you, that a few weeks spent 

 in old Charleston would cure you. Our Winter was 

 severe, and the Spring is backward ; the Jasmines 

 are now in full bloom, our Wistaria is superb and 

 our hearts are open to welcome you. Can you not 

 come on and see us ? 



P. S. FROM MRS. BACHMAN: 



With my left hand I will add, that I believe the 

 sight of you, would do me more good than all the 

 Doctors. 



You remember the fall I had in New Orleans. I 

 must, then, have dislocated my elbow, which now, 

 after the lapse of sixteen years, renders the arm 

 useless. M. B. 



The following February, (1857,) Mrs. Bachman's 

 health was yet more seriously undermined by an 

 attack of pneumonia. Her physician, fearing that 

 in her enfeebled condition her constitution could 

 not stand the shock of such a disease, prudently 

 concealed from his patient the nature of her dis- 

 order. When it was found necessary to call in a 

 consulting physician, he came as a friend and brought 

 with him a specimen of a rare plant, saying, " We 

 want you to help us to find the name of this strange 

 plant. When we doctors are puzzled in Materia 

 medica we come to you ; but first you must let us 

 help you to get rid of this wretched cold." 



