tiful example of Melise's happy way of turning every circumstance into a motive of gratitude to GOD, and also of the power of sympathy which she possessed in a remarkable degree, though she so frequently laments the want of it.

"My dearest H—

"June 17th.

"I am so very sorry for you and your familyit must indeed be a great grief to lose the first and only child. We are very sorry that we shall [not] see you on Wednesday; but much more sorry for the cause, for he was getting to an age to be loved for his own sake. But his happiness must be their comfort. He has gone to the Good Shepherd, Who carries the lambs in His arms. He has gone from the evil to come, and kept his baptismal robe spotless and pure. You will have no more anxiety about his keeping the promises you made for him at the Font. But his poor mother will feel very desolate. I cannot write more now, except just to assure you of my warm love and sympathy.

* *

"Believe me, dearest H

"Ever affectionately yours,

"M. H. M. BROWNLOW."

CHAPTER IV.

AUTUMN OF 1856-REMOVAL TO TORQUAY-LETTERS TO A FRIEND-LETTERS ON HER LAST BIRTHDAY-Life of MADAME GUYON-INCREASING WEAKNESS-ANNOUNCEMENT OF APPROACHING END-LETTERS WRITTEN IN ANTICIPATION OF DEATH.

"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me.

"Thou shalt prepare a Table before me against them that trouble me: Thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full."

IT will have been observed from the letters in the preceding chapter that Melise was restored to comparative health and strength before she returned to Wilmslow. In fact every day seemed to manifest an improvement, and she appeared never tired of walking amid the beautiful scenery of Torquay. Even the steep hills ceased to give her pain in her lungs, and with her increasing strength, the cough, that had alarmed us all, well nigh disappeared. On her return to Wilmslow she thought she might venture to resume her riding, but on trial found

that her back was not strong enough. However she walked about a great deal, though not to any long distance, and was very active in visiting the sick and infirm. They have many little anecdotes to tell of her kindness and sympathy with all their troubles both of body and soul, and her memory is very dearly cherished in many of those poor cottages. Her great presence of mind enabled her to say the right thing at the right time, which is so important an element of useful visiting.

Melise complains in one of her letters of her inability to interest children, but she certainly gained their affections in a remarkable way; and my mother tells me that her class is still the most regular and best behaved in the Sunday School, so that perseverance seems to have effected what it may be she had no natural gift for.

From some of her last conversations with the poor, Melise seems to have had a presentiment that she should never be able to visit them again, and to have spoken very much to them of that land where there shall be no parting words or tears; else to all appearance it appeared likely that she would derive as much benefit this year from her stay at Torquay as she did the spring before; but GOD ordered it otherwise, and soon after her return to Torquay in October, she became conscious of decreasing strength. All exercise became more and more an effort to her, and though she was still able to walk some distance, yet any steep ascent was painful, and when I joined her and my parents at the begin

ning of November her cough was very trouble

some.

Another sign of her ripeness for her eternal home was the greater ease with which she was able to speak of heavenly things. JESUS was so much in her heart, that she could not forbear speaking or writing about Him.

Those acquainted with the life of S. Theresa and other Saints who have led contemplative lives, cannot fail to have been struck with the vivid way in which they speak of our Blessed LORD as a living Person still walking about among us. Thomas à Kempis, when inwardly drawn to converse with his Divine Master, would break off in the middle of a conversation as if some visitor had sent to speak with him. This obedience to the inspirations of grace tends more than anything else to make the soul realize the Presence of GOD, and the habitual walking in His Presence is the surest way of Perfection. "I am the Almighty GoD, walk before Me, and be thou perfect."-Gen. xviii. 1. And how does His Presence sanctify the meanest place or occupation! JESUS is as truly present in the Carpenter's shop as in the Temple itself; in the midst of the crowd who throng around, unconscious of the virtue of His touch, as on the lonely mountain top, where the favoured contemplative cries, LORD, it is good for us to be here. What storms of passion does His Presence quell, what crowds of evil thoughts does it put to flight! "Thou art with me" is the charm against every evil.

The following extract displays the Love of the Good Shepherd in thus carrying His lambs in His very Bosom.

66

To her Brother.

"My dearest William,

"Kitnocks, Oct. 7th, 1856.

"I have been wanting to write to you, but I did not know where to direct [my letter] to. I came down here yesterday. I had such a very happy journey; London was very distracting, but then JESUS came to me, and seemed so near, and that text seemed so inexpressibly sweet to me, 'My Beloved is mine, and I am His.' Would that all could enjoy His Presence, and sweet communion with Him!"

To Miss L- 1.

"My dearest L-,

"Torquay, [October, 1856.]

"Mamma brought me your kind letter to Bristol. I was only in London from the first to the fifth [of October], and only knew two days before that grandmamma could take me in; so you see I had no time for a visit to B-, or one from you which grandmamma proposed. William has not got a curacy yet. I can't say I wish papa could get a living in the south, I do love Wilmslow. I don't know Leighton's 'Rules for a Holy Life;' but I am very fond of his Commentary on S. Peter.'

has not come back yet; it is very difficult to talk to her; she seems to know nothing about the inner life, though anxious to do what is right. This life is to her a reality -all else dream, speculation. They tell me you have grown very dreamy. If they knew how great a King was there to be entertained, they would not wonder we thought more of Him than of them; but we must take