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so thoroughly unaffected, that at this moment and
hereafter I may I am sure say that amongst the wide
circle of friends and acquaintances amongst whom my
lot has been cast, I know not where to find his
like. How strange and inscrutable a desperation
is it not that those endowed with so many
qualities – calculated to prove a happiness and
a blessing to all around them should be carried
away from us, and so much folly and
selfishness and dishonesty left to Encumber the
Earth. The effect of such mournful scenes as
the loss of old and dear friends – is to sicken
us with life, and make one almost wish for a
close to a state of things so unsatisfactory.
I could scarcely resist the intrusion of such
feelings at times were it not that in the
face of such trials as the loss of friends whose
place can never be fully filled – I have had
vouchsafed to me a larger measure of
social & domestic happiness than I could ever had
a right to look for in this world, in the
society and affection of my dear wife.