Dr. Eason. 129 



If it is fair to get amusement from a tragic death, we 

 shall give here a letter sent by Dr. Eason's wife to him 

 while he was lying ill at Miss Yates' house. This specimen 

 of writing by a Fife lady of good family has, in the post- 

 script at least, a strange turn of thought, not intended to be 

 comic we dare say. 



Manchester, 17th (only date given). 

 ' Oh my beloved Sandie, that I had wings like a dove that I 

 could fly to Churchland to do my duty to you, as you have always 

 done to me ! But this is a subject far too soft for my pen at pre- 

 sent ; my tears would flow faster than my ink. A thousand 

 thanks for your kind remembrance by Dick Hall, which I will 

 take care of It gave me the greatest pleasure to hear by the 

 Reverend Mr. Hall that your mind was so composed, and my 

 prayer has never been wanting on that subject, nor ever shall. 

 But I certainly must be allowed to come and see you ; and yet, 

 I really think it would be too much for both. Reason says this, 



but not your affectionate 



' Jane Eason. 



'N.B. My kindest gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Peel (other 

 names not legible). 



' I dare not trust my pen longer, notwithstanding I cannot 

 help telling you in the midst of my affliction I feel a kind of pride, 

 for the whole town, high and low, rich and poor, are your friends, 

 and I do believe if you was to leave us in want we would be sup- 

 ported iox your sake ] in short, the whole town and county is in 

 an uproar about you, and if it is the Almighty's will to spare yott, 

 you will be given again to the prayers of thousands. I even was 

 in hopes to go first to kingdom come, and it will be no disappoint- 

 ment to me now to let me go and say you are coming. I'll 

 keep a good place for you ; let me tell you it is a good thing to 

 have a friend at court, Sandie, but I hope you will have faith in 

 that friend that sticketh faster than a brother, and whose blood 

 cleanseth from all unrighteousness, and who has said there is 

 more joy in one repenting sinner than ninety and nine just 

 persons. A lady called this day who was at the chapel in Old- 



K 



