and our rejoicings at pretty Julio's health and beauty. (One of the curricle horses to whom Mrs. S. was much attached ; I believe she had found herself often indebted to the [happily for her dumb] docility of those creatures.) How providential it was that poor Mrs. G. was not in the curricle when he chose to "cut a caper". ( A phrase of Mr. G.'s)
Our little cottage is some distance from the town and perfectly retired, surrounded by fields, and hills, and groves.
The air of this place is peculiarly salubrious; I live out of doors as much as possible, sometimes reading under the haystack in the farmyard, sometimes rambling in the fields, and sometimes musing in the orchard ; all which I do without spectators : no observers near to say I am mad, foolish, or melancholy; thus I keep the 'noiseless tenour of my way,' and you will be glad to hear this mode of life so well suited to my taste.
Rising at six and going to bed at ten has brought me to my comfortable sleep once more ; the bitterness and anguish of selfish grief begins to subside, and the tender recollections of excellence and virtues gone to the blessed place of their eternal reward are now the sweet, though sad companions of my lonely walks; I often carry with me that beautiful sonnet,* and even suffer myself to hope,

'That fancy's radiance friendship's precious tear,
Shall soften, shall avert afflictions gloom.'

*(Mentioned in her second letter)

I thank you very much for the epitaph, but cannot help being sorry that Patty should have imposed so troublesome a task; she is at present my only companion, and is an unspeakable comfort to me.
That eulogy, if it may so be called, is a modest and true picture of that excellent creature's mind and attainments. Oh, what an irreparable loss!
As there is no one who more sincerely wishes you well than I do, your sentiments upon writing it, gave me the sincerest satisfaction, all share alike the inevitable hour ! May it surprize us unprepared. Think upon it sometimes seriousIy,*
And forgive the freedom of
Your obliged friend,

S. SIDDONS.

* How kindly anxious this lady was not only for Mr. G.'s happiness in this world, but in that to come, as will be seen in many of her letters, but how she purposed leading him to heaven, whether by example or precept is somewhat doubtful,