1RC7-38. GENEROSITY OF NATURE. 107 



' this side up,' a kiss, which you are leisurely to devour. If the 

 hope of visiting London was great heretofore, how much greater 

 is it now. Your account of the pretty young Quakeress, to 

 whom I should be delighted to sing anything I could, and the 

 notice of Mr. Mitchell's organ, are great attractions. If I knew 

 the piano, he would perhaps teach me how to manage the organ 

 stops, and I should make some progress. Meanwhile, don't you 

 imagine I'm an accomplished piano-player; I'm just fagging 

 away at all the horrid scales, gamuts, etc., but I'll stick closely 

 to it. You must on no account think of waiting for me to see 

 the sights of London ; it is extremely doubtful if I shall get up 

 at all ; at any rate, it cannot be earlier than next autumn, so 

 don't think of waiting. If I gained the Essay I am working at, 

 that would decide me in the affirmative." 



George's unselfish devotion as a brother and friend, was never 

 more visible than now. Whatever his own sorrows and dis- 

 appointments, at some of which even his most intimate friends 

 can but dimly guess, he was able to put them aside, and assume 

 the most hearty mirth, if others were cast down. When the 

 infectious nature of his sister's illness kept almost all aloof from 

 her, he would not be restrained from trying to cheer the little 

 invalid. The evening-time that brought him home was eagerly 

 longed for, and when her eyes were sealed up from the effects 

 of the disease, and a ray of light unbearable, this good brother 

 sat outside the chamber door, with a candle so placed, that no 

 light could enter the room, and for hour after hour read the 

 drollest stories, laughing over them with a heartiness peculiarly 

 his own. Wishing to give some slight token of her gratitude 

 for all this love and care, the child said to him one night before 

 going to sleep, " Kiss me, Dozie." Immediately was the kiss 

 given, to her great satisfaction ; and not till weeks after, when 

 the first glance at a mirror was permitted, did it flash upon her 

 what she had asked, what the repulsive state of the lips had 

 been, and the danger even to his life. Trifling though the 

 incident is, it was a true expression of the generous nature, 

 ready at any moment with unconscious grace to sacrifice life 

 itself for the objects of his love. 



