I forgot in my last to thank thee for the proposed amendments of thy friend. Whoever he is, make my compliments to him, and thank him. The passages to which he objects have been all altered, and when he shall see them new dressed, I hope he will like them better.

learn how we go on, I write a few lines to inform you that Mrs. Unwin daily recovers a little strength, and a little power of utterance; but she seems strongest, and her speech is most distinct in a morning. Hayley has been all in all to us on this very afflictive occasion. Love him I charge you dearly for my sake. Where could I have found a man, except himself, who could have made himself so necessary to me in so short a time, that I absolutely know not how to live without him.

Adieu my dear sweet Coz. Mrs. Unwin, as plainly as her poor lips can speak, sends her best love, and Hayley threatens in a few days to lay close siege to your affections in person.

W. C.

There

There is some hope, I find, that the Chancellor may continue in office, and I shall be glad if he does; because we have no single man worthy to succeed him.

I open my Letter again to thank you, my dearest Coz. for yours just received. Though happy, as you well know to see you at all times, we have no need, and I trust shall have none, to trouble you with a journey made on purpose; yet once again, I am willing and desirous to believe, we shall be a happy trio at Weston; but unless necessity dictates a journey of charity, I wish all yours hither to be made for pleasure. Farewell.-Thou shalt know how we go on.

....

And Oh! could I command the glittering wealth,
With which sick kings are glad to purchase health;
Yet, if extensive fame, and sure to live,

Were in the power of Verse like mine to give,
I would not recompence his art with less,
Who, giving Mary health, heals my distress.

Friend of my friend! I love thee, tho' unknown,
And boldly call thee, being his, my own.

W. C.

LETTER XXIV.

To Mrs. BODHAM.

Weston, June 4, 1792.

MY DEAREST ROSE,

I am not such an ungrateful and insensible animal, as to have neglected you thus long without a

I cannot say that I am sorry that our dear Johnny finds the pulpit door shut against him at present. He is young, and can afford to wait another year; neither is it to be regretted, that his time of preparation for an office of so much importance as that of a Minister of God's word, should have been a little protracted. It is easier to direct the movements of a great army, than to guide a few souls to Heaven; the way is narrow, and full of snares, and the guide

himself

himself has the most difficulties to encounter. But I trust he will do well. He is single in his views, honest-hearted, and desirous by prayer and study of the Scripture, to qualify himself for the service of his great Master, who will suffer no such man to fail for want of his aid and protection.

Adieu..

W. C.

LETTER XXV.

TO WILLIAM HAYLEY, Esqr.

Weston, June 3, 1792.

ALL'S WELL.

Which words I place as conspicuously

as possible, and prefix them to my Letter, to save you the pain, my Friend and Brother, of a moment's anxious 'speculation. Poor Mary proceeds in her amendment still, and improves, I think, even at a swifter rate than when you left her. The stronger she grows, the faster she gathers strength, which is perhaps the natural course of recovery. She walked so well this morning, that she told me at my first visit, she had entirely forgot her illness, and she spoke so distinctly, and had so much her usual countenance, that had it been possible, she would have made me forget it too.

Returned from my walk, blown to tatters-found two dear things in the study, your Letter, and my Mary! She is bravely

well, and your beloved epistle does us both good. I found your kind pencil-note in my song-book, as soon as I came down on the morning of your departure, and Mary was vexed to the heart, that the simpletons who watched her, supposed her asleep, when she was not, for she learned soon after you were gone, that you would have peeped at her, had you known her to have been awake: I perhaps might have had a peep too, and therefore was as vexed as she: but if it please God, we shall make ourselves large amends for all lost peeps by and by at Eartham.

W. C.

LETTER XXVI.

TO WILLIAM HAYLEY, Esqr.

Weston, June 5, 1792.

Yesterday was a noble day with us—

speech almost perfect-eyes open almost the whole day, without any effort to keep them so; and the step wonderfully improved. But the night has been almost a sleepless one, owing partly I believe to her having had as much sleep again as usual the night before: for even when she is in tolerable health, she hardly ever sleeps well two nights together. I found her accordingly a little out of spirits this morning, but still insisting on it, that she is better. Indeed she always tells me so, and will probably die with those very words upon her lips. They will be true then at least, for then she