PREFACE TO AUTOBIOGRAPHY

ACQUAINTANCES so urged my recording notes of past years: I slowly assented, while aware of their unavoidably being imperfectly thrown together, and partly left unfinished, owing to unexpected and fatal illness.

CHARLOTTE HANBURY

"I

I

CHILDHOOD

SHOULD like to be fresh like a child

when I am old," is carelessly said, without a thought of how it may be ensured. When we find this freshness filling the years of the aged, it singularly spreads pleasure to others around.

Thus in the life of Mr. R. C. Chapman at ninety-six we see him well and increasingly joyous, and the centre of animation and interest among the numerous staying guests by whom he delights to be surrounded.

My dear mother, in her hundred and fifth year, had all the mental powers of her young days, with their vivid pleasure and sympathies; composing verses and continuing the wide influence of her life with new joy and vigour.

Mr. Isaac Sharp, after he was eighty-eight, travelled extensively in Europe and in the East, his lively conversation and overflowing spirits making him increasingly a pleasure to others, until his course ended in his ninety-second year.

Cannot we continue to have vigorous health,

B