1864-65.] SECOND VISIT HOME. 355 



lie did not scruple to tell them how different an estimate 

 he had formed of the Governor's conduct. 



We continue our extracts from his Journal and 

 letters : — 



" 2\th May. — Came down to Scotland by last night's train ; found 

 mother very poorly ; and, being now eighty-two, I fear she may not 

 have long to live among us." 



27th May (to Mr. Webb). — "I have been reading Tom Brown's 

 School Days — a capital book. Dr. Arnold was a man worth his weight 

 in something better than gold. You know Oswell " [his early friend] 

 " was one of his Eugby boys. One could see his training in always 

 doing what was brave, arid true, and right." 



" 2d June. — Tom better, but kept back in his education by his 

 complaint. Oswell getting on well at school at Hamilton. Anna 

 Mary well. Mother gradually becoming weaker. Robert we shall 

 never hear of again in this world, I fear ; but the Lord is merciful, and 

 just, and right in all His ways. He would hear the cry for mercy in 

 the hospital at Salisbury. I have lost my part in that gigantic 

 struggle which the Highest guided to a consummation never contem- 

 plated by the Southerners when they began ; and many others have 

 borne more numerous losses. 



" 5 th June. — Went about a tombstone to my dear Mary. Got a 

 good one of cast-iron to be sent out to the Cape. 



" Mother very low. . . . Has been a good affectionate mother to us 

 all. The Lord be with her. . . . Whatever is good for me and mine 

 the Lord will give. 



" To-morrow, Communion in kirk. The Lord strip off all imper- 

 fections, wash away all guilt, breathe love and goodness through all 

 my nature, and make His image shine out from my soul. 



" Mother continued very low, and her mind ran on poor Robert. 

 Thought I was his brother, and asked me frequently, ' Where is your 

 brother ] where is that puir laddie V . . . Sisters most attentive. . . . 

 Contrary to expectation she revived, and I went to Oxford. The 

 Vice-Chancellor offered me the theatre to lecture in, but I expected a 

 telegram if any change took place on mother. Gave an address to a 

 number of friends in Dr. Daubeny's chemical class-room." 



"Monday, 19th June. — A telegram came, saying that mother had 

 died the day before. I started at once for Scotland. No change was 

 observed till within an hour and a half of her departure. . . . Seeing 

 the end was near, sister Agnes said, ' The Saviour has come for you, 

 mother. You can "lippen" yourself to Him ]' She replied ' Oh yes.' 

 Little Anna Mary was held up to her. She gave her the last look, 

 and said ' Bonnie wee lassie,' gave a few long inspirations, and all was 

 still, with a look of reverence on her countenance. She had wished 

 William Logan, a good Christian man, to lay her head in the grave, 



