thankfulness:--

'I will only say further that my dearest sister, my tender, watchful,
indefatigable nurse, has not been made ill by her exertions. As to
what I owe her, and the anxious affection of all my beloved family on
this occasion, I can only cry over it, and pray God to bless them more
and more.'

Throughout her illness she was nursed by her sister, often assisted by
her sister-in-law, my mother. Both were with her when she died. Two of
her brothers, who were clergymen, lived near enough to Winchester to be
in frequent attendance, and to administer the services suitable for a
Christian's death-bed. While she used the language of hope to her
correspondents, she was fully aware of her danger, though not appalled by
it. It is true that there was much to attach her to life. She was happy
in her family; she was just beginning to feel confidence in her own
success; and, no doubt, the exercise of her great talents was an
enjoyment in itself. We may well believe that she would gladly have
lived longer; but she was enabled without dismay or complaint to prepare
for death. She was a humble, believing Christian. Her life had been
passed in the performance of home duties, and the cultivation of domestic
affections, without any self-seeking or craving after applause. She had
always sought, as it were by instinct, to promote the happiness of all
who came within her influence, and doubtless she had her reward in the
peace of mind which was granted her in her last days. Her sweetness of
temper never failed. She was ever considerate and grateful to those who
attended on her. At times, when she felt rather better, her playfulness
of spirit revived, and she amused them even in their sadness. Once, when
she thought herself near her end, she said what she imagined might be her
last words to those around her, and particularly thanked her sister-in-
law for being with her, saying: 'You have always been a kind sister to
me, Mary.' When the end at last came, she sank rapidly, and on being
asked by her attendants whether there was anything that she wanted, her
reply was, '_Nothing but death_.' These were her last words. In
quietness and peace she breathed her last on the morning of July 18,
1817.

On the 24th of that month she was buried in Winchester Cathedral, near
the centre of the north aisle, almost opposite to the beautiful chantry
tomb of William of Wykeham. A large slab of black marble in the pa