relations. The messenger met the duchess of Hamilton on the road, who came immediately, and desired to see her good aunt, and wished to have sat up with her the following night. Before five in the morning, all was over, and her own wishes accomplished by a short illness, and going to sleep without sigh or struggle."

"Thus terminated a most useful, active, and benevolent life, at eighty-six complete, with hardly any interruption of exertion; her memory and senses quite perfect. She told me she should never recover, and added more, but her voice was so low, that I could not hear; but as all her work was done, and her mind, as I could see, by her uplifted eyes and hands, resting wholly on her Maker, all she could have said was immaterial."

"I shall always praise and respect her great relations, for their affectionate and respectful behaviour on this occasion. Her nephew, lord Gwdyr, described her worth with great justness; and said she was the most perfect Christian he had ever known, and in the next world would have a distinguished station."

Mrs. Rayner was indeed in all respects, a great and extraordinary character, and was especially distinguished for uncommon energy of mind, and for the union of great self-denial and strict economy, with charities the most extensive, and generosity the most unbounded. As her plan of life was, in general, retired, and her mode of dress very plain, it did not admit of her visiting her splendid connexions, or even of receiving their visits very frequently. She therefore set apart

one day in every week for that purpose; dressing herself suitably, and putting her house in great order, that she might not disgrace them, as she was wont to say, in the eyes of their servants.

CHAPTER 37.

Mr. Cappe's last illness, and tranquil death...The Author's state of mind....The gospel an inestimable privilege.... The institutions of Brahma contrasted with an apostolic command....Extracts from a letter of Mrs. Lindsey's.... The funeral....Reflections....Female Benefit Club.... Disconsolate state of mind.

I HAVE already mentioned that ever after his imperfect recovery, in Sept. 1799, from his third paralytic seizure, my beloved husband was gradually becoming more and more feeble; yet as the change from day to day was not very striking to those who were constantly with him, I continued to flatter myself that he might yet so far recover, as that his life might be spared for some time to come, in tolerable ease and comfort. So prone are we to hope and believe, what we anxiously wish and desire!

About the middle of December, however, he was more than usually oppressed, by what appeared like a severe cold, but still he was com

posed, resigned, and thankful; and for some days, our hopes continued to outweigh our fears. Of his last moments, on the morning of the 24th, so calm and tranquil, and I might add, so full of hope and joy, I shall not here give the particulars; having done it already, in a Memoir prefixed to his Critical Dissertations in 1802, and afterwards still more at large, in an edition of the Memoir published separately.

No one I believe, who has not had the experience, can fully understand what it is to kneel by the bed of a dying friend, dearer, perhaps, than all the world; to perceive every fluttering pulse beat fainter, and still fainter, till the awful moment shall arrive, when it shall beat no longer! Yet, even in these most trying moments, what cause had I not for thankfulness? The dread event was indeed inevitable, but my beloved husband had no painful recollections, no fearful apprehensions, no dying agonies; his mind was clear, collected, and calm; he was fully aware of the coming awful change, but it appeared to him as being nothing more than an unexperienced mode of removal to a more glorious and abiding apartment, in his heavenly Father's house.

How ardent were now my prayers, that the conflict might speedily and easily terminate! Yet, after they were granted, when the solemn event had actually taken place, when that well known voice was for ever silent, to which I had so often listened with improvement and delight, those eyes for ever closed, which were wont to beam with complacency, intelligence, and affec

tion, what language can express the feelings induced by that change!

How often did the question occur to mewhither art thou gone, blest spirit ?—That spark of etherial fire, which so lately gave life and animation to this house of clay, which thought, and reasoned, and conversed; whose laborious researches were not confined to the things of time and sense, but devoutly essayed to inquire after, to know, and to adore its great Creator, say, whither is it fled? Ah, if within the confines of this lower world, it could again take up its abode, through what dangers, difficulties, and sorrows, would I not undauntedly pursue its path? Should I be intimidated with fear, or overawed by any human power?-Vain inquiry, and useless as vain! Return then again to thy rest, O my soul, and be fully assured, that our gracious Creator, benevolent and merciful, as he is powerful and wise, would not have formed us capable of these strong attachments, if by death they were to be destroyed for ever! No, they will be refined, purified, and ennobled; but far from being totally extinguished, they will revive, expand, and live for ever, in the glorious presence of the ever-blessed God, and in the society of Him, who hath graciously promised that, where he is, there also shall his servants be.

Here for a moment I would pause. How merciful is that arrangement of a gracious Providence, which increases our tenderness in proportion to the feebleness of its object! I loved

and venerated my husband before he was paralytic; he was my guide, my counsellor, and friend; but after the second dreadful stroke, when he could no longer, or but very imperfectly, and at distant intervals, sustain these honoured characters; when only the venerable ruin of his fine talents, great learning, and extensive knowledge remained, no language can adequately express how dear he was to my heart. How invaluable is the gospel of Christ; how unspeakable are our obligations to it, for its consolations, its assurances, and its hopes !-for its accuracy in discriminating, and its kindness and fidelity, in plainly delineating, the straight right-onward line of human duty." Throw thyself upon the funeral pile of thy deceased husband," says the stern, fanatic Brahmin-" and thou shalt live with him for ever, amidst the joys of paradise." To her who has really loved, how imposing the command!" Sorrow not," says the venerable apostle, "as those who have no hope;" patiently fulfil your remaining duties, "continue stedfast in well-doing, seek for glory, honour, and immortality, and in due time, ye shall reap, if ye faint not."

On the 29th, I received a letter of condolence from my friend, and never-failing correspondent, Mrs. Lindsey, written so much in her own manner, that I shall give the following extracts.

"You are now under the severest trial of your fortitude and resignation, that you ever experienced, in the loss of the object of your tenderest and best affections, and who was so truly worthy of them. That he suffered no more, nor