History of the Fife Pitcairns

310 THE FIFE PITCAIRNS.
From The Dowager-Duchess of Roxburghe to The Rev. Canon
Pitcairn, Eccles Vicarage, Manchester.
BROXMOUTH, Sunday Evening, Nov. 16, 1879.
I have been very unwell, my dearest James, or I should have told
you sooner that I have been deeply interested in Mr Lyttelton's
book. It cannot make me sure — who is ? But I feel all he says,
and most firmly believe in the "intermediate state," when I con-
fidently believe earthly sin is wiped away, and the good and pure
nature perfected. I could not pray, if I did not pray for the
soul of my darling, as feeling one with him still, and God will not
blame me, nor take from me the small ray of comfort it gives me.
I dare say you will think me unorthodox, but I speak the truth as
to my doubts and fears, and I humbly pray for light. I also
warmly agree with Mr L. as to work. Thank God I do, for I am
so constituted that to me work (when well) is my only resource, and
as Mr L. says, in the highest sense, "Laborare est orare." When
incapacitated the other day I felt a sort of despair, so wretchedly
do our minds depend on our frail bodies. I am at work again,
however, had the Communion in the Ch. of S. last Sunday, and
have just returned from walking to Ch. and Sunday School and
back. I am now quite alone, for my dearest Charlotte & Co. got
back to Paris yesterday. I have had visits (both from Preston
Grange) from Robert Prescott and Georgie Dalton. Dear Bowie
and Annie were over for a night, and have been with Susan. Both
very well, he looking far better since his fever. This week my
sweet grandchild, 1 her husband, and my fine drra^-grandson 2 come
here on their way to London.
Now let me some day hear of you all, and give your dear wife
and girls my kind love. Tell me of your absent boys. — And be
sure that I am, Yours most affectionately, S. Roxburghe.
From The Dowager-Duchess of Roxburghe to
The Rev. Canon Pitcairn.
May 8th, 1880.
My dearest James, — I am not very well, and this last fortnight
could not fail to try me to the uttermost, or I would have answered
by return of post your kindest of notes, and asked you to be so
very good as to send me the book ' After Death,' 3 which I shall
read with deep interest, and I hope comfort. And, dear kind
cousin, I have promised my tender friend the Queen to go up to
1 Countess of Stair. 2 Lord Dalrymple.
3 After Death, by Canon Luckock.