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much my dear, darling husband
and I valued and enjoyed their
society. Never to be forgotten evenings!
Rev J. Hall and Mrs Hall too. Our con-
verse so full of interest. It will not do
to draw comparisons, the present would
suffer sadly. "Of joys departed never to
return, how painful the remembrance" ...
Mrs Barnes is truly happy in her chil-
dren being so decidedly Christian. What
greater blessing can a pious mother
realize? Expected my dear Elizabeth
this afternoon. The heavy shower I have
no doubt prevented her coming

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31st ... Why do I attempt to write? I do not
know. Words cannot express the utter de-
solation I feel. This day after day loneli-
ness is so sad. Have I then outlived
all love and sympathy? How many
earnest appeals daily, hourly rise to
Him who will I trust deliver me from
evil, and in some degree soothe this
[crossed out] (sore) [added above] (sorely) bruised heart, if not O grant
me submission and hope for
kindred association. It is a mis-
take some of my children make in
reference to my experience. Hav-
ing a large family would never
have distressed father or me ...
A decent business will and
would have met all our re-
quirements. The years forty-six