'Merton, Shrove Tuesday.

'My dearest Joan and Fan,--How we must all have united this morning
in pouring out our thanks to God for His great mercy! You will not
suspect me of being wanting in love to you, if I say that the
contemplation of what might have happened presented such a scene of
desolation, such a void, that it would have required all the strength
I possess to turn to God in resignation and submission to His will.
I have often, very often, thought of that illness at Geneva, but this
brought it home to me, perhaps closer still; and I hope I shall never
cease to be mindful of, and thankful for, this special providence.
Father seems pretty confident that all mischief is prevented; and Jem
wrote six hours after he took the laudanum, and had then felt no
drowsiness to speak of, and Dr. Watson said there was no fear of
anything happening after two hours had elapsed.

'I should like to join with you in showing our gratitude by some deed
of charity, or whatever you think right. Something that without any
show might be a thank-offering to God for His signal act of mercy.

'Ever your loving Brother,

'J. C. PATTESON.

'5.30. I wrote this quite early this morning. I can hardly think
yet what it all means. Now, I feel only a sense of some very heavy
affliction removed. Poor dear Father, and all of us! what should we
have been without him!'