and of Divine Love. And, amidst all trials, give her to know and feel that Thou, the All-sufficing, art with her, leading her on through eternity to likeness of Thyself.”’
‘I sigh for an intellectual guide. Nothing but the
sense of what God has done for me, in bringing me
nearer to himself, saves me from despair. With what
envy I looked at Flaxman’s picture of Hesiod sitting
at the the feet of the Muse! How blest would it be to
be thus instructed in one’s vocation! Anything would
I do and suffer, to be sure that, when leaving earth,
I should not be haunted with recollections of “aims
unreached, occasions lost.” I have hoped some friend
would do, — what none has ever yet done, — comprehend
me wholly, mentally, and morally, and enable me
better to comprehend myself. I have had some hope
that Miss Martineau might be this friend, but cannot
yet tell. She has what I want, — vigorous reasoning
powers, invention, clear views of her objects, — and she
has been trained to the best means of execution. Add
to this, that there are no strong intellectual sympathies
between us, such as would blind her to my defects.’
‘A delightful letter from Miss Martineau. I mused
long upon the noble courage with which she stepped
forward into life, and the accurate judgment with
which she has become acquainted with its practical
details, without letting her fine imagination become
tamed. I shall be cheered and sustained, amidst all
fretting and uncongenial circumstances, by remembrance
of her earnest love of truth and ardent faith.’
