rd
Brodie." His diaries reveal a life lived in great humility and special
nearness to his Lord. Those around him found in him not only a
benevolent neighbour but also a faithful instructor in the highest
learning. His delight was to visit the sick, and to declare the love of
Christ whenever he had the opportunity. He longed for his children to be
great in grace, rather than in worldly distinction. His wish for them is
expressed in the words he left on record, that he would not be detained
"one hour from glory, to see those come of him in chief honour and place
in the world."

[Footnote 1: _Life and Letters of Elizabeth, last Duchess of Gordon_, by
Rev. A. Moody Stuart, D.D. Messrs. J. Nisbet & Co., London.]

The mother of Elizabeth Brodie was a member of the family of Wemyss, a
granddaughter of the Earl of Wemyss. Her father had acquired a large
fortune in India, and returned home to the large estates in
Kincardineshire which he had purchased. The little girl had soon to
experience the greatest loss that can befall a child. When she was only
six years old her mother died, leaving her alone with her father. The
next two years were spent with maiden aunts at Elgin, where she enjoyed
a liberty which was bracing to both mind and body. School life began
early. When she was only eight years old, she was sent to a boarding
school in London, one special object being to eradicate the broad Scotch
from her lip and thought. At school she became a great favourite with
both teacher and companions, already exercising that power of winning
attachment which was a feature all through her life. At the same time
she is described as having "a very independent spirit." In matters
indifferent she was ever yielding in her disposition; but it was
impossible to move her from any principle she had deliberately adopted.
Courage was another characteristic that early manifested itself. Her
groom, who had served her forty years, delighted to recall instances of
her fearlessness. On one occasion, when her party were crossing the Spey
in a pony-chaise in a boat, the bridge having been carried down by the
floods, her companion asked, "Isn't this dangerous, duchess?" "I never
see danger," was the quiet reply.

When she was about sixteen Miss Brodie left school. The winters were now
spent in Bath, the summers in Scotland. She had launched into the
society of the world, and to a great extent she did as they did. One
reproof she received made a lasting