“Amidst our frequent recollections of you at Allerton, we
had begun to feel some anxiety on your account, which would by no means have
been diminished, had we known that you and your companion were careering over
the hills of Derbyshire on the top of a coach. Your letter has arrived just in
time to alleviate our apprehensions, and to add to the cheerfulness of our
Sunday’s dinner, where you have as many friends as we number individuals.
In rejoicing with you, as I most truly do, on your restoration to domestic
happiness, I feel, however, a selfish hope that you may be encouraged at no
distant period to pay another visit to Liverpool, and that you will prevail on
Mrs. Smith to accompany you. I had
almost begun to suspect that the cares of the world or the lapse of years had
blunted in me those feelings, and diminished that capacity of attachment,
which, in youth, are so ardently experienced; but the fortunate incident which
introduced me to your acquaintance has restored me to a better opinion of
myself, and, however I may regret that we did not meet sooner, I gratify myself
in regarding you as a friend of my early days, but lately found, if indeed I
can be said lately to have found one whom I have known so long in his
| LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. | 263 |
