moter of every scheme of benevolence in
Edinburgh.

Right Hon. W.E. GLADSTONE to DEAN RAMSAY.

Hawarden, December 7, 1871.

My dear Dean Ramsay--It is with much grief that we have seen
the announcement of the heavy loss you have sustained in the
death of your brother. It was a beautiful union, which is now
for the time dissolved. One has been taken, and the other
left. The stronger frame has been broken, the weaker one
still abides the buffetings of the sea of life. And I feel a
very strong conviction, even at this sad moment, and with
your advancing age, that the balance of your mind and
character will remain unshaken through your habitual and
entire acceptance of the will of God. I write then only to
express my sincere regard for the dead, strong sympathy with
the living. Such as it is, and knowing it to be pure, I offer
it; would it were more worthy, and would that I, let me
rather say--for my wife enters into all these feelings--that
we were able in any way at this especial time to minister to
your comfort.

I fear the stroke must have come rather suddenly, but no
dispensation could, I think, in the sense really dangerous,
be sudden to you.

Accept, my dear Dean, our affectionate wishes, and be assured
we enter into the many prayers which will ascend on your
behalf. Your devoted niece will sorely feel this, but it will
be to her a new incentive in the performance of those loving
duties to which she has so willingly devoted her heart and
mind.--Believe me always your affectionate friend, W.E.
GLADSTONE.

Rev. D.T.K. DRUMMOND to DEAN RAMSAY.

Montpelier, Thursday.

My dear Friend--I did not like to intrude on you in the very
freshness of your home sorrow. But you know how much I loved
and respected your brother, and how truly and heartily I
sympathise with you. There were few in Edinburgh so much
beloved as Sir William, and it will be long indeed ere the
memory of his goodness shall pass away. Such men in the
quiet, private, and unassuming walk, are often much more
missed and more extensively lamented than men who have been
more in the eye of the public, and during their life have had
much of public observation and favour. It is trying for us
who are far on in the pilgrimage to see one and another of