From Elizabeth Dawson Steuart   Sept. 27. 58¹

Sept. 27. 58

My dear John,

It had indeed appeared long to me since I had heard from you, until the receipt of your last letter,² but I know how much your valuable time is occupied in scientific pursuits, and feel that I should not expect it to be devoted to me, warm as my interest always is in your welfare and happiness. The day before your note reached me, I received a copy of ‘The Times’, wherein a letter of yours was published.³ My Brother William,⁴ knowing the gratification I should feel on reading it, sent me the paper: You have indeed encountered perils and dangers, and been mercifully protected through all. The Almighty arm of Omnipotence guided your steps, and gave you success in your undertakings, for without this aid you must have perished. My Brother Joseph⁵ is gone on a tour to the Channel Islands⁶ and some parts of France he has not yet visited—such as Avranches,⁷ Caen⁸ &c. He is sure to end with London, and no doubt will call upon you while there, and I hope may be fortunate enough to find you at home. This place is so much changed, I do not think it now contains any you would care to hear of: All the former kind people are gone, and certainly have not been replaced by better: it is miserable to see such a thin congregation in the Church, which used to be so well and respectably filled in days of yore. But so it is in this ever varying world, where nothing stands still. I suppose you have found the Comet⁹ an object of great interest: I have had fine views of it from my bed-room window about 4 o’clock in the morning.

Believe me with kindest wishes, | ever most sincerely | your friend | E.D. Steuart

RI MS JT/1/TYP/10/3340

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