Forebodings. 247 



Charleston, October 28111, 1847. 



My Dear Victor : I have had an anxious time 

 since I left Richmond. There seemed to be no alle- 

 viation of my daughter L \s distressing symp- 

 toms. After our return home she appeared to grow 

 worse, rather than better. Dr. Horlbeck called in 

 Dr. Geddings as consulting physician — for L. seemed 

 to me sinking for lack of nourishment. One by 

 one I have seen my children swept to the grave ; 

 we have not been out of mourning for years ; and 

 now I know not but that further and equally heavy 

 trials await me. Say to my old friend Audubon, 

 God bless him, and save him from the sorrows and 

 trials that have desolated my path for years. * * * 



But the light is breaking and the shadows tieeing-^ 

 away. The following extracts from a letter show 

 that the hopeful spirit was not crushed, but only 

 over-shadowed for a moment. 



To THE Same: 



October 29th, 1847. 



" 1 may be mistaken, but I think that there is a 

 decided change for the better in L.'s condition. 

 Although I have often before been disa})pointed, 

 yet whenever there is the slightest improvement my 

 spirits revive and, perhaps, I hope too much. Yet 

 it maybe fortunate for me in the end that it is thus. 

 The rest of us are well. 



My son Wilson is attending the lectures in the 

 Medical College, and my boy AVilliam is doing well 

 at the Charleston College. Att'ectionate remem- 

 brance and love to all, in which the whole family 

 unite, especially to the dear little folk. 



