From E. B. Ramsay   3 August 1831

My dear Henslow,

You have learnt from my sister the afflictive dispensation with w. ^h it has please God to visit us – I can say with an assurance of being fully understood when I say to you – that such a friend & such a brother is not often the object of human grief – I feel most deeply – but on looking back on the past much appears of a pleasing character & many things call for my gratitude & praise to almighty God. Of these the chief is the lately increasing seriousness of my brother. He came into it gradually & happily – much of his conversation took a serious turn & his Bible was a constant companion – Now allow me to say that I have frequently remarked how much your influence under God contributed to this – yes! I say it without hesitation that I perceived the influence of your pious & judicious Christian sentiments on all occasions Oh Henslow he was much attached to you he loved you he admired you & he learned from you. I have been much pleased in hearing from my sister of the serious turn his conversations took here & that not at all in the anticipation of his end, for he never thought himself in danger & indeed the medical man never thought of danger till within 24 hours of his death – He was certainly ill when I was at Cambridge – & the organic disease had commenced its effect – but who could have anticipated so rapid a progress of that fateful work – I am desirous of availing myself of your kind advice – & perhaps you can direct me how to proceed. I would willingly spare myself the pain of a visit to Camb: but if necessary of course I must not hesitate. I will not find any unnecessary tax upon your time & your friendship & look rather for your advice & direction – He made a mem: of his disposition of effects & I believe I am left his executor. I know he left me his books – I have been talking with my mother & sister about what little remembrance of him you would like to possess. We all agree that you shall be requested to take his chimney piece clock for that purpose – Let me request of you to remove it at once & when you look at it you will think of a friend – a more sincere & a more attached one no man ever possessed–

Dear Henslow believe me | yours sincere. & affect. ^l | E.B.R–