SIX MONTHS AT CAPE TOWN. 



?o . 



March 11th. 



It was kind of you to write so fully of poor H., and I need 

 not say how sincere is our sympathy, but you do right to dwell 

 on the attendant mercies and blessings granted you. It is in 

 the firm belief that these, as well as the affliction which they 

 surround and assuage, have been dealt by a Father's hand, that 

 true consolation can be felt by those who survive. Nor is the 

 doctrine of a special Providence, though many disbelieve it, 

 wanting an answer, on such occasions, in the hearts of the 

 afflicted. At least I can say from experience that it has never 

 been more strongly and unanswerably impressed on my own 

 mind than in times of sorrow and perplexity, and though I 

 admit that when the mind recovered its buoyancy I have 

 allowed it to return to the every-day thoughts of the world, yet 

 I trust that these impressions have not been altogether like 

 those on sand, gone for ever. That beautiful expression of 

 Job, " The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away," has often 

 come to me with great force ; indeed, I think has seldom or 

 never been absent, and it has at times brought tears of gratitude 

 to my relief. You surely have had reason to bless the Giver of 

 such a brother, and also to bless him for the manner in which 

 that gift was recalled. 



You have in W. everything that could be desired in a brother. 

 Xot only devoted affection, but steadiness and prudence beyond 

 his age, with ability to learn any business to which his mind is 

 directed, and zeal to carry his knowledge into practice. It is 

 not often that a person is found who is capable of acquiring any 

 sort of knowledge of this kind, and able to turn with facility 

 from one trade to another. I have no doubt of W.'s success in 

 whatever he undertakes, for I know he will spare no pains to 

 acquire a thorough knowledge of the subject, and then will 

 fully bend his mind to carry it out effectively. It is here that 

 I feel my own lamentable deficiency and inferiority. In fact, 

 when I bring myself into comparison, I cannot repress feelings 

 of shame and self-contempt, for however good my intentions 

 are, hitherto I have failed to bring them into practice, partly 

 for want of mental courage, and partly from (I suppose) apathy. 



