a separation from a sweet source of comfort and enjoyment, but surely not a real evil.  Abundant comforts are left me if it please my kind and Heavenly Father to provide me power to enjoy them, and continually in heart to return him thanks for His unutterable loving kindness to my tenderly-beloved little one, who had so sweet and easy a life and so tranquil a death....  My much-loved husband and I have drunk this cup together in close sympathy and unity of feeling.  It has at times been very bitter to us both; but as an outward alleviation, we have, I believe, been in measure each other’s joy and helpers.  The sweet children have also tenderly sympathized; brothers, sisters, servants, and friends, have been very near and dear in showing their kindness not only to the darling child, but to me, and to us all....  We find outwardly and inwardly, “the Lord did provide.”

The little lost Betsey, who “just came to show how sweet a flower for Paradise could bloom,” was thenceforth a sacred memory; for from that day they had a connecting link between their household and the skies.  Very frequently, even in the midst of her multifarious engagements, her thoughts wandered off to the little grave in Barking burying-ground, where rested the remains of the dear child, and, perchance, a tenderer tone crept into her voice as she dealt with the outcast children of prisons and reformatories.  Soon after this event the elder boys and girls went to school among their relatives, and only the youngest were left at Plashet House with her.  As a new baby came within six months after little Betsey’s death, the motherly hands were still full.  She found, however, time to write letters of wise and mother-like counsels.

My much-loved girls:—­Your letters received last evening gave us much pleasure.  I anxiously hope that you will now do your utmost in whatever respects your education, not only on your own account, but for our sake.  I look forward to your return with so much comfort, as useful and valuable helpers to me, which you will be all the more if you get forward yourselves.  I see quite a field of useful service and enjoyment for you, should we be favored to meet under comfortable circumstances in the spring.  I mean that you should have a certain department to fill in the house, amongst the children and the poor, as well as your own studies and enjoyments; I think there was not often a brighter opening for two girls.  Plashet is, after all, such a home, it now looks sweetly; and your little room is almost a temptation to me to take it for a sitting-room for myself, it is so pretty and so snug; it is newly furnished, and looks very pleasant indeed.  The poor, and the school, will, I think, be glad to have you home, for help is wanted in these things.  Indeed, if your hearts are but turned the right way, you may, I believe, be made instruments of much good, and I shall be glad to have the day come that I may introduce you into prisons and hospitals....