distressed me to see uncle Henry and Wm. Knight, who kindly attended
us on horseback, riding in the rain almost the whole way. We expect a
visit from them to-morrow, and hope they will stay the night; and on
Thursday, which is a confirmation and a holiday, we are to get Charles
out to breakfast. We have had but one visit from _him_, poor fellow,
as he is in sick-room, but he hopes to be out to-night. We see Mrs.
Heathcote every day, and William is to call upon us soon. God bless
you, my dear E. If ever you are ill, may you be as tenderly nursed as
I have been. May the same blessed alleviations of anxious,
sympathising friends be yours: and may you possess, as I dare say you
will, the greatest blessing of all in the consciousness of not being
unworthy of their love. _I_ could not feel this.

'Your very affecte Aunt,
'J. A.'

The following extract from a letter which has been before printed,
written soon after the former, breathes the same spirit of humility and
thankfulness:--

'I will only say further that my dearest sister, my tender, watchful,
indefatigable nurse, has not been made ill by her exertions. As to
what I owe her, and the anxious affection of all my beloved family on
this occasion, I can only cry over it, and pray God to bless them more
and more.'

Throughout her illness she was nursed by her sister, often assisted by
her sister-in-law, my mother. Both were with her when she died. Two of
her brothers, who were clergymen, lived near enough to Winchester to be
in frequent attendance, and to administer the services suitable for a