Part 27 (1/2)

LIFE IN THE SICK-ROOM

”They also serve who only stand and wait”--MILTON

During the last few years of life Bessie Gilbert never left her invalid couch and bed In addition to blindness she was liable to distressing attacks of deafness, to sleeplessness, agonising pain, and weary exhaustion Her throat was often affected, sas difficult She had lost power in the upper limbs, could only use her hands for a few seconds to read the raised type for the blind, or to do a few stitches of chain work for those she loved; even that became impossible before the end The record of work for the Institution dwindles down during these years, but she lived for it as completely as she had ever done

She would deny herself the one pleasure that remained--a visit from some one she loved, because it would exhaust her and render her incapable of the little she could now do

For three or four years she received almost daily business letters from Colonel Fyers, and dictated replies to them when her health allowed, but this uncertain interposition was of little value, and by degrees matters of business ceased to be submitted to her When any question on which she entertained a strong opinion was brought forward, she would occasionally explain her view in a letter to the Committee, but these letters also diminished in number Her interest in individuals never decreased; the blind workpeople and their affairs occupied her to the very last

In 1878 she heard that one of the workmen was about to marry a oman, since dead, as blind, deformed, and very e, and did her utmost to prevent it She wrote to express her views, and sent a favourite sick-nurse to the Institution to e letter, inforement was at end:

INStitUTION OF THE assOCIATION FOR THE WELFARE OF THE BLIND

28 BERNERS STREET, LONDON, W, _3d August 1878_

MADAM--I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your very kind letter of the 2d inst, and to express to you how deeply I feel the very great interest you on all occasions have shoards me, and especially now I know you must have my welfare at heart, otherwise you would not have favoured me with this communication, for which I sincerely thank you I, as well as L W, have, through the means of your kind letter, seen the e from a different point of view, and have therefore decided to act in harmony with your wishes, which no doubt are for our best

I regret very much that any uneasiness should have been caused you by this affair, and trust that in future nothing on ain--I am, madam, your obedient servant, C C

Miss Elizabeth Gilbert

Bessie ware for the blind, and was so it injudiciously In this case she would have been very glad if C could have found a healthy, capable wife, ould have est possible bond of sympathy between husband and wife; and as she did not for herself witness the untidiness and discomfort in the homes where lect of young children, she could not share the objection of e between the workpeople

In 1879 her ed sister, the Hon Mrs Elliot, was married to Mr

Childers Mr Childers had not previously known Bessie personally, but he saw her several tireatly ination

In one of her early intervieith him she had asked for information as to the Blind and Deaf Mute Education Bill, which Mr Wheelhouse, member for Leeds, Mr Mellor, and others, had introduced into the House of Co She wished to see any papers Mr Wheelhouse could send, and was much interested in his efforts and in the correspondence which followed her request

Many letters received at this time have been preserved, and they show the influence which, from her bed of pain, she exercised on all around her

The following is from her old friend, Mr coxe, librarian of the Bodleian It is his last letter to her; he died in the following July:

NORTHGATE, OXFORD, _S Stephen's Day, 1880_

MY VERY DEAR BESSIE--Howof ift to perfu, or due, to her) and carried off the rest to some secret store-room, unknown to me as yet, in my new house I have been now nearly three months in my bed and bedroom; how dare I speak of it to you in a spirit other than of deep thankfulness that I have been allowed to brave all weathers, and to work unscathed even to my 70th year

Dear Fan (”old Fan!” it was such a pleasure seeing her!) will have told you what nice quarters we have fallen on wherein to end our days It was one of the two houses I used in days gone by to covet; the other was old Mr Parker's, now young Fred Morrell's Well, dear Bessie, this season has had its e of peace too for you

I am sure that you have received and welcoe in these sad days of rebuke and blaspheain a traveller, tho' I should like to see Hilgrove in his new home, only fifteen ain in this life May it be granted that we may enjoy a happy reunion in that which shall be Best love to the ”duchess” and Nora, with much to yourself from yours, dearest Bessie, ever affectionately, H O coxE

The year 1881 brought to Bessie a long fit of depression, due mainly to an attack of deafness; but she had also ard to the association She heard of custoer dismissed for dishonesty, heavy losses upon Governive work to the blind throughout the winter, diminished income and subscriptions, and increased demands for aid In the old days she would have stirred up her friends, , and surmounted all difficulties

The ut all those interested in her work to become associates, and to subscribe a su a year Such associates were to pledge theoods made by the blind She submitted her scheme and circular to the Committee, and was advised to make the minimum subscription half a crown In this fory hich she would in former time have launched it, there was no appreciable result