“Sarah came here with the two boys* last night, as they could get no conveyance from Exeter to Crediton, and are gone there to-day. Harriett is gone there with them, and will be back with Sarah in the evening: let Mrs. Armstead know they are come safe and well. If we had known where to direct to you, we should not have sent Mary‡ to tell you of our father’s death, but would have written to you directly; but neither your mother nor I were well enough to write at the time, and we thought Sarah might be on the road, and have been expecting her every night since. Your father’s death was unexpected at last; for though we had been at one time doubtful of his living through the week, Mr. Nosworthy thought him much better on Saturday morning. He died on Sunday the 16th, about seven in the morning. To him his death was a release from a state of suffering: he made no complaint, nor did he give one groan, but went on talking of glory, honour, and immortality, and talking with me to the last. His senses returned the last few hours, and when he could not speak, he took my hand and put it into mother’s. He kept his bed but one day, and his appetite was very good; but he had water on his chest, and that we did not know for a long time, and we thought he might have lived many months longer. My mother is very
* Mrs. Armistead’s children. Mrs. A. was one of the residents at Winterslow. More of her, by-and-by. † John Hazlitt’s eldest daughter. ‡ John Hazlitt’s second daughter. |
| 262 | PEGGY HAZLITT’S LETTER. |
“My mother wishes to know if you intend to write anything in the ‘Repository,’ giving some account of your father? If you don’t, somebody else will, and you can do it best. Mr. Hinton‡ was asking about it, and wished to know if he could do anything for us in any way. The people here have been very kind in doing and ordering everything for us that we could not see about ourselves. Sarah intended to write some in this letter, but she will not be back time enough. We wish her to stay a week or two with us now she is here. We have got a bed to spare for you now whenever you like to come. I hope you will write to us soon: my mother wishes to hear from you, and know how you
* “Where her brother William, John Hazlitt’s only son, had settled. † Who afterwards married Harriet Hazlitt. ‡ The Rev. G. P. Hinton, already mentioned. Mr. Hinton, and not Mr. Hazlitt, prepared the memoir, and sent it to the ‘Repository.’ See vol. xv. p. 677-9. |
| HIS CHARACTER OF HIS FATHER. | 263 |
