University of Virginia Library

JOHN TO SARAH.

Frank has prevailed. We could not both fly to the
sick bed of our beloved Sarah; and we have finally agreed

that he should be, as the older, and more experienced,
the first to minister consolation to her who, henceforth,
is our sister. From this instant, our home is your home,
Sarah, and while we have a morsel of bread, that morsel
is yours. We mention this now, because, it may happen
in these disastrous times, that a death so sudden, as that
of your excellent father, may leave his extensive affairs
in some disorder; or, at least, render it difficult to bring
them to a profitable or speedy termination. I speak now
as a man of business. Sudden death, in the head of a
great commercial house, is little better than a bankruptcy,
unless the property be under lock and key. I pray
you, therefore, my dear Sarah, to be prepared for the
worst. Put the whole management of the business into
the hands of Frank; and make yourself well and happy,
as soon as possible. This will not be shown to you,
till the agony of your bereavement is passed; but, it will
be shown you, while the greater danger is yet near you;
that of despondency, and weariness of spirit. I recommend
travelling to you; Frank will accompany you. I offer no
consolation. I pretend not to the power. But I feel for you.
I have wept for you; and I can only say, go to the blessed
Book, which you have so often recommended to me.—I do
not pretend to speak from my own knowledge of its value
from my own experience, I mean—I am shamefully ignorant
of it, I confess—but, I see that it makes the mourner
look smilingly up to heaven; the widow's heart beat; and
the sweet orphan move her little mouth in prayer;---and I
cannot doubt, that it is the best medicine for the sick at
heart—for you, my own dear Sarah.—Do not yield to
the blow. But you will not. Your talents are not to
lie idle and darkening, in the chamber of apathy. No—
you must be useful to them that want examples among
the sweetest charities of life—the household charities.

Poor Juliet is indisposed, but sends her love—will
write soon.