"The doctor had visited her about five minutes previously and had
applied a blister.

"You and your sister will I am sure excuse further details at present
and believe me with kindest remembrances to remain

"Yours truly, &c."

After a few days a lawyer's letter informs the nieces that their aunt had
left them the bulk of her not very considerable property, but had charged
them with an annuity of 1 pound a week to be paid to Harry and Mrs.
Newton so long as the dog lived.

The only other letters by Mrs. Newton are written on paper of a different
and more modern size; they leave an impression of having been written a
good many years later. I take them as they come. The first is very
short:--

"DEAR MISS ---, i write to say i cannot possiblely come on Wednesday
as we have killed a pig. your's truely,

"ELIZABETH NEWTON."

The second runs:--

"DEAR MISS ---, i hope you are both quite well in health & your Leg
much better i am happy to say i am getting quite well again i hope
Amandy has reached you safe by this time i sent a small parcle by
Amandy, there was half a dozen Pats of butter & the Cakes was very
homely and not so light as i could wish i hope by this time Sarah Ann
has promised she will stay untill next monday as i think a few daies
longer will not make much diferance and as her young man has been very
considerate to wait so long as he has i think he would for a few days
Longer dear Miss --- I wash for William and i have not got his clothes
yet as it has been delayed by the carrier & i cannot possiblely get it
done before Sunday and i do not Like traviling on a Sunday but to
oblige you i would come but to come sooner i cannot possiblely but i
hope Sarah Ann will be prevailed on once more as She has so many times
i feel sure if she tells her young man he will have patient for he is
a very kind young man

"i remain your sincerely
"ELIZABETH NEWTON."

The last letter in my collection seems written almost within measurable
distance of the Christmas-card era. The sheet is headed by a beautifully
embossed device of some holly in red and green, wishing the recipient of
the letter a merry Xmas and a happy new year, while the border is crimped
and edged with blue. I know not what it is, but there is something in
the writer's highly finished style that reminds me of Mendelssohn. It
would almost do for the words of one of his cel