CONTINUATION OF HOME LIFE. 41 



The year 1834 was destined to be one of the most important 

 in Mr. Harvey's life, bringing as it did events and changes 

 deeply affecting his future prospects, and which seemed to bear 

 him at once further beyond the threshold of manhood than the 

 attainment of years was likely to have produced in one of his 

 peculiar temperament. The first of these was the marriage of 

 his sister, the circumstances arising from which may be given in 

 his own simple words as written to Dr. Hooker. 



"My only sister is about to be married and settled in the 

 metropolis, and my father wishes to live with her in preference 

 to remaining here at either of my brother's houses — and very 

 naturally, for she has been his careful nurse these many years. 

 Xow 1 am a kind of addendum to my father also, seeing I am 

 the youngest child and the pet, and of course I follow him 

 wherever he goes. As regards botany the change is a happy 

 one for me, for I shall at last have some persons within reach to 

 sympathize in my pursuits. As regards other feelings it is 

 also happy, for I should not like to separate either from my 

 father or sister. The only drawback is, that my habits of busi- 

 ness just now beginning to be formed are nipt in the bud, and I 

 shall probably be again unsettled. But I trust I may not be 

 long so. I have lived in idleness long enough, and am grow- 

 ing fearfully old to be still without settlement. I am determined 

 not to continue much longer so ; for after all there is no old age 

 so miserable and heartless as that of a drone, who is a bore 

 wherever he intrudes. My horror at such an old age grows 

 stronger every clay." 



The above arrangement, which proved so satisfactory on both 

 sides, was but of short duration. On the 18th of the following 

 October, Mr. Joseph M. Harvey was suddenly removed by one 

 of those attacks to which he had been for some years subject. 

 The shock was instantaneous, and on William the stroke espe- 

 cially fell. He accompanied his father's remains to Limerick ; 

 and it was affecting to witness his speecMess sorrow, from which 

 he found it difficult for some days to rally. 



The following letters continue the narrative. 



