nd by his second wife, the
heroic Elizabeth, one son and one daughter. All of these survived him
except his eldest daughter Mary, his tenderly-loved blind child, who died
before him. His wife only survived him for a brief period, "following
her faithful pilgrim from this world to the other whither he was gone
before her" either in 1691 or 1692. Forgetful of the "deed of gift," or
ignorant of its bearing, Bunyan's widow took out letters of
administration of her late husband's estate, which appears from the
Register Book to have amounted to no more than, 42 pounds 19s. On this,
and the proceeds of his books, she supported herself till she rejoined
him.

Bunyan's character and person are thus described by Charles Doe: "He
appeared in countenance to be of a stern and rough temper. But in his
conversation he was mild and affable, not given to loquacity or much
discourse in company, unless some urgent occasion required it. Observing
never to boast of himself or his parts, but rather to seem low in his own
eyes and submit himself to the judgment of others. Abhorring lying and
swearing, being just, in all that lay in his power, to his word. Not
seeming to revenge injuries; loving to reconcile differences and make
friendship with all. He had a sharp, quick eye, with an excellent
discerning of persons, being of good judgment and quick wit. He was tall
of stature, strong-boned, though not corpulent; somewhat of a ruddy face,
with sparkling eyes, wearing his hair on his upper lip after the old
British fashion. His hair reddish, but in his later days time had
sprinkled it with grey. His nose well set, but not declining or bending.
His mouth moderately large, his forehead something high, and his habit
always plain and modest. Not puffed up in prosperity, nor shaken in
adversity, always holding the golden mean."

We may add the portrait drawn by one who had been his companion and
fellow-sufferer for many years, John Nelson: "His countenance was grave
and sedate, and did so to the life discover the inward frame of his
heart, that it was convincing to the beholders and did strike something
of awe into them that had nothing of the fear of God."

The same friend speaks thus of Bunyan's preaching: "As a minister of
Christ he was laborious in his work of preaching, diligent in his
preparation for it, and faithful in dispensing the Word, not sparing
reproof whether in the pulpit or no, yet ready to succour the tempted; a
son