1840-42. ILLNESS OF A SISTER. 269 



much anxiety and alarm, which are now, however, somewhat 

 abated. From the doctor I have not learned anything precise 

 concerning the nature and extent of the heart-affection. 



" Mary is as contented, calm, and even cheerful a sufferer as 

 could be seen ; it is the pain it gives others, not her own sense 

 of suffering, that afflicts her. Poor thing, she has been sorely 

 tried by illness and sorrow all her days. Pray to God to restore 

 and watch over her, for I fear anything like complete restora- 

 tion to health is hopeless for her. Nevertheless, be not over- 

 much cast down ; I believe this attack, which is a symptom, 

 not a disease, may prove beneficial to her ; and, at all events, it 

 is to me a great relief and consolation to know that she is under 

 the medical care of a very kind and skilful person." 



" SABBATH MORNING, March 20, 1842. 



" I am constrained by necessity to devote a portion of to-day 

 to writing you. I have engaged to deliver several lectures to 

 Dr. Eobertson's surgical class. I have been occupied all this 

 week with preparation, and shall not be free to write a letter 

 till Friday next, so that this deed must be forgiven. 



" I am greatly pleased to read in your letter of the delight 

 you feel in your studies ; it is a sure proof you are in good 

 health, whether your peptic mill be going right or no. It is a 

 delicious feeling that sober exultation which successful, pleasur- 

 able study brings ; the ' exulting and abounding' emotion with 

 which some long and rugged hill of difficulty being at last 

 clomb, and every let or hindrance overcome, behold a Pisgah 

 point from which a Canaan of promise can be seen. Such a 

 feeling have I known; "Tis gone! 'tis gone!' as old Capulet 

 says of his cornless feet and young dancing days ; but it will 

 come back with the swallow and the summer flowers, and they 

 will be here one of these days. At present I creep along on a 

 pair of crutches, literally and metaphorically a lame, blind 

 man. Nevertheless, you will be glad to hear I am mending, 

 general health much improved, lame legs at least no lamer, 

 much profitable and promising work chalked out for immediate 

 and future performance ; on the whole, quiet contentment, some- 

 times cheerfulness overflowing in its old channels, and gladden- 



