" So
the letters go, interspersed with news, with criticisms of notable
persons, with comments enlightening or cynical on passing political
events: with personal matters only now and then; as when he notes
the loss of his two sisters; dwells with unwonted feeling on the
death of his eldest nephew by consumption; condoles with her on her
husband's illness; gives council, wise or playful, as to the
education of her son. "I am glad to hear that he is good at Greek,
Latin, and Mathematics, for that shows his cleverness; glad also to
hear that he is occasionally naughty, for that shows his force. I
advise you to claim and exercise as much control as possible,
because I am certain that a woman--especially so gifted a one as
you--knows more, or rather feels more, about the right way of
bringing up a boy than any mere man."
Unbrokenly the correspondence continues: the intimacy added charm,
interest, fragrance to his life, brought out in him all that was
genial, playful, humorous. He fights the admonitions of coming
weakness; goes to Sidmouth with a sore throat, but takes his papers
and his books.
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