Dear Mr. Hodgson,—There certainly is a spell upon my correspondence with you. I have been so harassed and worried with business matters that I have not had a peaceful moment to say a few words to you. I felt your kindness so deeply in writing me those sad, mournful, yet grateful, details! I can imagine all you felt that day, and only wish I could have been there too. . . .
My head and heart are in such a distracted state with the
various inevitable consequences of this sad event, that I think I must go away
somewhere soon, for I want repose. I regret, too, very much that you did not
question Fletcher; but I flatter myself
you may have future opportunities, and I should encourage him to communicate
with you freely on that most interesting subject. You
see, dear Mr. Hodgson, that Mr. Hobhouse and a certain set imagine that it
might be said by his enemies, and those who have no religion at all, that he
had turned Methodist, if it was affirmed that he paid
(latterly) more attention to his religious duties than formerly. But let them
say what they will, it must be the first of consolations to us that he did so.
I am convinced of it from
| 150 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
Tell me how I can send you a mourning ring,1 which I have thought a little of the hair would make more acceptable. Best compliments to Mrs. H.
