with them. I only longed that Maria and her dear children had been with us to complete the party. Elizabeth seemed, for her, well and comfortable; and Agatha quite of one spirit with her sister, differing only in garb. Mr. and Mrs. Barclay were most kind, and I seldom paid a visit in which all the members of the family appeared, from first to last, more usefully and honourably employed, and in which all appeared guided more by real principle. It was a truly delightful visit.”

But amongst the kindnesses she received, and the delight of renewing old ties, there was nothing upon which she oftener loved to dwell than intercourse she at this time enjoyed with Hannah Kilham, the devoted missionary and martyr in the cause of Africa. Hannah Kilham had just returned from her first visit to that country. Through subsequent years, Mrs. Schimmel Penninck often spoke of her as one of the most single-minded persons she had ever known, and as one who, in her deep abhorrence and condemnation of sin, and in her boundless love to the sinner, in an eminent degree possessed the spirit of her Master, and trod in His footsteps. The final sacrifice of her life in the cause to which she had devoted it, was ever a subject of much feeling to Mrs. Schimmel Penninck.

CHAP. IX.

1837-1846.

"Affliction has a taste as sweet

As any cordial comfort."

SHAKESPEARE.

"For a crowd is not company, and faces are but a gallery of pictures, and talk but a tinkling cymbal where there is not love."

BACON.

THE last day of 1837 was a Sunday. Mrs. SchimmelPenninck had just returned from the Moravian chapel; her friend Mrs. Richard Smith had called, and was sitting by her side, and Mrs. SchimmelPenninck was speaking with earnestness on the work of the Holy Spirit, when in a moment she was seized with paralysis; life seemed to stand still; she thought herself dying, and made an exclamation to that effect. Happily, medical help was near at hand. Dr. Riley happened to be passing, and was with her in a few moments: he bled her, and ordered other remedies; and after a time the powers of life began to return, her speech became more articulate and her mind clearer.

Though this attack of paralysis was called slight

by her medical attendants, and probably was so in reality, yet long years passed ere she recovered from its effects. Up to this time, in all Mrs. SchimmelPenninck's fragile health, her clear and vigorous mind was ready at her command; in all sorrow her intellectual pursuits were her first earthly resource: now for a season it was to be otherwise. During this long illness she continually felt as if the powers of her mind had escaped from her control, and as if its clearness were dimmed and its elasticity gone. The whole of her right side was more or less affected, and this state was accompanied by a restlessness which was more difficult to bear than pain; but it was borne, as were all her sufferings, meekly and cheerfully; and in a few weeks the severity of the attack began to pass away. Change was considered very important, and her first move was to Henbury Court, where, in the early spring, she was received by her dear and valued friends, Mr. Stock, and his daughter, Mrs. Butterworth; and where she enjoyed that perfect liberty and tender kindness which her state required.

Previously to this time Mrs. Schimmel Penninck had consulted the well-known Dr. Jephson. She had passed some weeks of the winter of 1836 under his medical care at Leamington; and the discipline of walking before meals, and his peculiar regimen, proved extremely useful to her. I have often heard

her and the dear friend who was her companion at Leamington, speak of their sallying forth by lamplight in the early winter mornings, to carry out the wishes of her doctor and kind friend.

In the present serious illness, Dr. Jephson was again applied to ; and, ere very long, Mrs. SchimmelPenninck undertook the journey to Leamington, again to be under his care. His advice was very valuable and some of the habits which she adopted, at first in compliance with his desire, were continued with advantage and comfort through the rest of her life. She often spoke of Dr. Jephson with lively gratitude. She found this justly celebrated man more than a skilful doctor; he proved himself a disinterested friend.

It was in reference to her state at this time, that one expressively writes:

66

Truly it is a divine power that can give wings to the soul, and elevate it above the infirmities of suffering nature, bestowing the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, and stirring up the earnest and effective desire to be

"Not thankful when it pleaseth me,

As though Thy mercies had spare days;
But such a heart whose pulse may be
Thy praise.'

The health of Mr. Schimmel Penninck had also long been in a very precarious state; many infirm

in the hope ti

.: reve beneficial to them as ought there, and evenTace, where they removed in *anage of residence was ada. Ce house was pecuburiy moximity to the Dow elemnek a pursue the dun 2947 and reshing alike to her

21 tre dear fine air was not - ZIRENE m the health of her

www.ecoined him principally Haveneent was of short dura*A_11__"ras; Mateerde many privations anod niger u is sure: and died in ver we then a kinder heart them necam aftened by ilmes, be la tunt of information: be con historant, was fond of Interatepecualty of music and painting. cong magm in character; nothing rosti. One who had the opporThe peaks of his modest worth and proud delight in his richly

Ne had no greater pleasure than

asic or her praises"

and step by step Mrs. Schimmel