g such a bugbear of it, in perfect comfort. We left
Dorset about noon in a close carriage; the doctor and his wife were
at the station and weighed M., when we found she had lost thirty-six
pounds. The coachman took her in his arms and carried her into the car,
when who should meet us but the Warners. On reaching the New York depot,
George rushed into the car in such a state of wild excitement that he
took no notice of any one but M.; he then flew out and a man flew in,
and without saying a word snatched her up in his arms, whipped her into
a reclining-chair, and he and another man scampered with her to the
carriage and seated her in it; I had to run to keep up with them, and
nearly knocked down a gigantic policeman who was guarding it. The
Warners spent the night here and left next morning before I was up,
so afraid of making trouble.... A friend has put a carriage at our
disposal, and M. is to drive every day when and where and as long as she
pleases. And now I hope I shall have something else to write about....
As to the Bible-readings, I do not find commentaries of much use.
Experience of life has been my chief earthly teacher, and one gains that
every day. You must not write me such long letters; it is too much for
you. How I do wish you would do something desperate about getting well!
At any rate, _don't_, any of you, have typhoid fever. It is the very
meanest old snake of a fox I ever heard of, making its way like a masked
burglar.

_To Mrs. Condict, New York, Nov 7, 1875._

We came home on the 27th of October; M. bore the journey wonderfully
well, and has improved so fast that she drives all round the Park every
day, Miss W. having put a carriage at our disposal. How delightful it
is to get my family together once more no tongue can tell, nor did I
realise all I was suffering till the strain was over. I am longing to
get physical strength for work, but my husband is very timid about my
undertaking anything.... Dr. Ludlow [4] was here one day last week to
ask me to give a talk, in his study, to some of his young Christians;
but my husband told him it was out of the question at present. I shall
be delighted to do it; much of my experience of life has cost me a great
price, and I want to use it for the strengthening and comforting of
other souls. No doubt you feel so too. Whatever may be said to the
contrary by others, to me life has been a battle-field, and I believe
always will be; but is the soldier necessarily