Sunday, April 1883.

MY DEAREST MARNY,

I must write a line to you about your poor friends!  It is THE tragedy of this war!  Very terrible.  I hope the bitterness of death was short, and to gallant spirits like theirs hope and courage probably supported them till the very last, when higher hopes helped them to undo their grasp on this life.

In the dying—­they suffered far less than most of us will probably suffer in our beds—­but to be at the fullest stretch of manly powers in the service of their country among the world’s hopes and fears and turmoils, and to be suddenly called upon to “leave all and follow Christ”—­when the “all” for them had most righteously got every force of mind and body devoted to it—­must be at least one hard struggle.  And death away from home does seem so terrible!

Richard will feel it very much.  That Nottingham election seems so short a time ago.

* * * * *

Back from Church!  Great haste.  We have had that grand hymn with—­

“Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest.”

I did not forget the poor souls.

Prayers for the dead is one of those things which always seems to me the most curiously obvious and simple of duties!

Your most loving, J.H.E.

71, Warwick Road.  April 9, 1883.

DEAREST MARNY,

I write a line to tell you that D. was at S. Paul’s yesterday afternoon to Evensong, and to hear Liddon preach.

I know you will like to hear how very gracefully he alluded to your poor friend as “the accomplished Engineer,” and to Charrington and Palmer.  Of the last—­he spoke very feelingly—­as to his great loss from the learning point of view.  He said—­or to this effect—­“We laid them here last Friday in the faith of Him who died for their sins and ours, and this is the first Sunday when above their ashes we commemorate that Resurrection through which we hope that they and we shall rise again.”  The “Drum Band” was duly played after the service, and D. says that crowds remained to listen.

I know you will like to hear this, though I have given a bad second-hand account.

I hope my Goodman gets to Malta to-day or to-morrow!

* * * * *

Ever, dearest Marny,
Your loving J.H.E.

TO A.E.

April 24, 1883.

...  I sent you a telegram this morning to make you feel quite happy in your holiday.  “Real good times” (a Yankeeism I hate, but it is difficult to find its brief equivalent!) are not so common in “this wale” that you should cut yours short.  I rather hope this may be in time to catch you (it is not my fault that you will be without letters).  If you would like to linger longer—­Do.