FL1215463

[pencil:] 239

I knew the interest that your brother, and all of you
took in my somewhat late entry into married life – and
one of the dreams in which I have been wont to indulge
was that some day or other I might present
my wife to James and his family, and ask him and
them to extend the friendship they had manifested for
so many years to me, – to her also. Well this
is no longer possible. a few short years will bring
the career of each of us to a close, and if we
can divine what the notion of happiness is &
future life may be, I cannot but believe that
one of the sources – if not the chief, of future felicity
will be the general old perpetuation of our
intercourse with those whom we have loved on
earth.

Looking calmly at the post – your brother must be
considered most happy in the circumstances under
which he has passed away. He had seen his
child happily married – , he had suffered from no
painful malady, in the midst of peace – he expired
on the bosom of his wife! Who could ask
to die under happier conditions? If there