Part 19 (1/2)

On the 13th of May the Bishop writes to give an account of the annualheld at St James's Hall, and presided over by the Bishop of London

QUEEN ANNE STREET, W, _13th May 1861_

MY VERY DEAR BESSIE--Ford [her ress and walking performances, and I can reciprocate with a capital one of this day's alleries and all; 2067 were stated to be present

There were some donations, but I have not heard yet the amount of the collection

It is clear toin London and in the nation, and that with God's blessing it will go on and become a national Institution, and that you, my dear child, may humbly rejoice in it I have not time for more--Yr ever affectionate father, A T CICESTR

Such a letter would greatly help forward Bessie's convalescence, which, though sloas beginning to show signs of progress In July a letter from Levy must have reassured her as to the state of his health, and it is interesting as the description of a blind man at a fire, with all his wits about him, and other blind men to help him

127 EUSTON ROAD, _3d July 1861_

DEAR MADAM--Last night a fire of an alar character broke out nearly opposite the Institution, and at one tiethickly over our premises for upwards of half an hour

It is a matter of thankfulness that I was at home

Our officers and other people hastened fro to be taken from the floors, immersed in water, and spread over the roof, and every vessel capable of holding water was filled and passed froular succession, so that the stream was continually kept up on all exposed parts

The office books were tied in blankets ready to be carried away, but providentially the wind changed and ere relieved from anxiety Four houses were destroyed or injured, but the only daht--I a the early suarden at Chichester, to which Bessie was carried on all suitable days She was happy with birds and trees and flowers around her, and received visits from many old and tried friends Her recovery was very slow, but there was always sufficient progress to point to the ultihout the year the workpeople sent affectionate greetings and appreciative verses to their generous friend and patron Bessie resumed the occupations of her youth, and in the months of her enforced absence fro poe

With a view to publication, she submitted so for a candid opinion He writes as follows:

PEVENSEY, EASTBOURNE, _15th August 1861_

DEAR BESSIE--I have read your poems, and, as you desired, have criticised closely The faults are chiefly in the versification

Here and there I suspect they have not been written down correctly froes are very pleasing, and the expression generally good That on ”The Poplar Leaves” is exceedingly pretty and gracefully expressed It needs but a few alterations toin point of thought, but the versification should flow more smoothly, and the diction here and there needs correction

”Thoughts Suggested by a Wakeful Night” are so good that I should like to see them made as perfect as possible, and as blank verse needs more finish than rhyme this task will need soed atany of these poeazine ”The Poplar Leaves”

would best lead the way I a no connection with that kind of periodical literature nor any acquaintance with its conductors You will see that I havelines in it, but it wants unity, the introductory part having no necessary connection with the catastrophe, and the latter being only a distressing accident

The poeth were laid aside, are very defective in fors that were a solace to the blind lady cannot fail to interest the reader These poearden was to her, and what intellectual interests and resources she had when she was incapable of the active work of her association

THE POPLAR LEAVES

The poplar leaves are whispering low In the setting suhts the hills and streams

What tell they in those racefully to and fro, I would ask of them a boon

Have you any word for me, A word I fain would hear?