friends have whispered a contrary opinion; and if I do not coincide with them, it is not because I wish to differ, but because experience seems to indicate a different conclusion. I should consider it the greatest of privileges to be admitted early into celestial happiness. To a Christian, resignation must I think be exercised in living, not in dying. It is strange indeed, that we should regard as a trial any dispensation that seems to promise a deliverance from the fetters that confine us here. It must be far better to be singing the new song' in heaven than to continue struggling with sin below. We should therefore be ever willing, and I think longing, to depart, yet waiting with patience.

is now devoting her attention to Phrenology, and many disquisitions we had on the subject, and submissions of our organs to her scientific ken. Mr. B., to assist us in our inquiries, politely brought forth some of his anatomical stores, and furnished us with a basket of skulls, and the head of William Corder! Are you not longing to take a part in our studies, or do you consider that we are wanting in refinement of feeling? How do you get on with your researches in Metaphysics? I remember that you anticipated doing great things in your own lodgings, and hope you find them as comfortable and inspiriting as you expected.

How very naughty

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was to write as she did con

cerning me! While at home, you had ocular testimony of the prudent care I take of myself, and this, I trust, will lead you to give a deaf ear to any wilful detraction of the kind. It is true I am sometimes designated an unruly girl' by my doctor, but I think unjustly: who is a more proper person to decide in such a case than the patient? Our cousins at Peckham and Bocking have all been affected by the prevailing epidemic; it seems to have been fatal in a great many instances, which is a warning to us to be constantly on our watch-tower. To the Christian who is waiting to depart, it signifies not at what hour the Son of man cometh. The idea of being sojourners here is so delightful. This is not our rest,' but we are looking for a better and a heavenly country; and we are guided thither by the Captain of our salvation. He has himself gone before us, and cannot lead his children astray. If therefore we are continually looking unto Jesus,' we must arrive in safety at the gates of the New Jerusalem.

"Mr. George continues his zealous labours at Cratfield. We hear that his ordination is to take place in March. He wishes very much to procure the attendance of Mr. Leifchild, but I should think will hardly succeed in this. Papa bids me say that he hopes the Sunday school is going on well. purchased of the Tract Society at we are trying to interest the children, number."

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A library has been a reduced price, and

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and keep up

their

"Though the influenza has considerably weakened me, it has had the happy effect of entirely removing my old cough. Mr. B. considers the state of my lungs decidedly improved: you will therefore say, I think, that this epidemic has rendered me an essential service. I am going to have a blister on my chest tonight, to keep up the charm.

"It is a sweet consolation to know that we are thinking of each other, and that we pray for each other. It is impossible for us to neglect doing either of these, for our interests and hopes are the same; we are one: ours is not merely a union, but UNITY. And our attachment will be perpetual; the bonds which unite us are inseparable. I do feel persuaded that, through infinite grace, we are both fixing our hope of eternal life on that Rock of ages which can never fail us. Christ is the anchor of our souls, and he is both sure and stedfast: he will keep that which we have committed to him. In all our troubles, we will apply to the mercy-seat of our Father; there we shall find relief, for the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy,' and has given us repeated experience of his faithfulness and loving-kindness.

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"Oh that I could utter what I feel towards you ! But we are for a season tongue-tied. Soon we shall

be in a world of love; then we shall speak in the language of love. Having had a glimpse of the golden city, I am about to return again to the world; for as far as we can judge, there is now not the least doubt of my recovery, so are 'His ways past finding out.'

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TO THE SAME.

66

Halesworth, Feb. 1st, 1836.

"My dearest Pet,

I have just dined; and, during my meal, had a chair placed opposite my own, trying to cheat myself into the belief that you were with me at the table, but alas! it would not do. Ideality would not assume reality, and I was compelled to yield to the unwilling conviction that I was alone; but, since all things work together for good to them that love God,' our separation shall only tend to endear us to each other, and to increase our longings for an entrance into 'that distant land, for whose sweet waters we have pined with thirst,' where our union and our happiness will be perpetuated, and we shall be indeed and for ever one in Christ Jesus.'

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"Mr. B

called just before dinner, quite in high spirits at finding me so much better. He 'really is hoping that the warm weather will prove quite a restorative.' But we have regular contests now-a-days. I strive to maintain that there is no necessity for my taking breakfast in the morning, while he obstinately

persists that there is, and will have it that 'don't want any' is a very absurd excuse. I really am tempted to wish all the bread and butter in Erebus, rather than it should be forced upon me against my inclination. And what can it signify when I eat, so that I am but kept alive? All this fuss is merely because my appetite does not happen to wake quite so early as my other powers. I am a very good girl, if I may speak my own praise, take the greatest possible care of myself, swallow my physic as often as prudence prompts me to do so, and live on 'food convenient for me,' by which judicious management, I am recovering as speedily as possible. I have been learning the 23rd Psalm in French, and have begun Adam's Morning Hymn in Milton, These are thy glorious works, Parent of good!' How do you like The Minstrel ? ' This afternoon the Dorcas meeting is held at Mrs.

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C's, senior; shall I go and read to them?"

"We have had quite a sick house, every one of us suffering from the prevailing disorder, except papa, who went last Sunday to chapel, leaving six in bed. What a mercy that, while other families have had their circles thinned by the chilling touch of death, our beloved friends and relatives have been spared! It is

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