278 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. VI. 



" Eveiybody is very kind to me ; the brethren of the Order 

 have proved true brothers to me. The very surgeon looked con- 

 cerned, as if he had no other patient to feel sympathy with. 

 But the surgeons are more kind-hearted men than they get 

 credit for. 



" I saw Inglis and Cairns on Saturday, but was too unwell to 

 get good of their society. Inglis, however, I can see, is a very 

 fine fellow." 



A fortnight later, additional gloom is added to the scene by 

 a return of inflammation in George's left eye. Mary reports 

 that, " though still a prisoner to bed, a very slight improvement 

 is visible in the foot. He is doomed to a dark room, and Jessie 

 spends every leisure minute reading aloud to him. Alison's 

 ' History of Europe/ and Madame Junot's ' Memoirs,' are the 

 books at present in use. I should have added to my account of 

 the invalid life, that George is ordered to the country as soon as 

 he can bear removal." 



Written at such a time, the following letters may serve to 

 illustrate the genial kindliness of his nature : 



" MONDAY, June 18, 1842. 



" MY DEAR DANIEL, I give the first moment of convalescence 

 to you. I have written nobody for the last six weeks, inflam- 

 mation of the eyes having been added to my other ailments, and 

 putting it out of my power to handle a pen. I am now able to 

 lie on the sofa, and can use one eye ; but you must, nevertheless, 

 be satisfied with a brief letter, which, indeed, I should not have 

 written, were it not chiefly concerning yourself. But first let 

 me tell you how much pleasure the arrival of Ann and her 

 mamma has occasioned us all. When baby was first presented 

 to me, lying half blind, and very indifferent to almost everything, 

 I started in surprise, and could only find vent to my feelings in 

 exclaiming, What a beautiful child! Truly she is beautiful, 

 much more so than I expected, though I cannot well say what ex- 

 pectations I had formed concerning her. She is like nobody I 

 know, though I daresay the lower part of her face will yet turn 

 out Wilsonic, Her forehead is certainly from mamma's side of 



