years of her great loss, while at first overwhelmed in
spirit, she yet resolves, in submission to the will of God, to bear her
calamities with patience and courage. "My yet disordered thoughts," she
writes to Dr. Fitzwilliam, "can offer me no other than such words as
express the deepest sorrows, and confused as my yet amazed mind is. You,
that knew us both, and how we lived, must allow I have just cause to
bewail my loss. Who can but shrink at such a blow, till, by the mighty
aid of His Holy Spirit, we will let the gift of God, which He hath put
into our hearts, interpose. That reason which sets a measure to our
souls in prosperity, will then suggest many things which we have seen
and heard to moderate us in such sad circumstances as mine." "Can I
regret his quitting a lesser good for a bigger? Oh! if I did steadfastly
believe, I could not be dejected; for I will not injure myself to say I
offer to my mind any infirm consolation to supply this loss. No, I most
willingly forsake this world, this vexatious troublesome world, in which
I have no other business but to rid my soul from sin; secure by faith
and a good conscience my eternal interests with patience and courage
bear my eminent misfortunes; and ever after be above the smiles and
frowns of it. And when I have done the remnant of the work appointed me
on earth, then joyfully wait for the heavenly perfection, in God's good
time, when by His infinite mercy I may be accounted worthy to enter into
the same place of rest and repose where he is gone, for whom only
I grieve."

Many letters in similar strain are preserved, to Dr. Burnet, Dr. Patrick
and other pious friends who like Dr. Fitzwilliam had sent messages of
sympathy and consolation. She often refers to the refreshment and
satisfaction she had in "endeavouring to do that part towards her
children, which their most dear and tender father would not have
omitted. These labours, if successful, though early made unfortunate,
may conduce to their happiness for the time to come and hereafter."
Attendance to these children, through childhood till they were settled
in life, she ever reckoned, "her first and chief business," but she
gradually undertook various matters of business for relatives and
friends, many of whom had recourse to one so wise, unselfish, and
sympathetic.

[Illustration: RACHEL, LADY RUSSELL.]

As an example of the interest she took in passing affairs, part of a
letter to Dr. Fitzwilliam, in 1689, may