of the translator!

_To Mrs. Condict, New York, May 2, 1876._

I do not know but I have been on too much of a drive all winter, for
besides writing my book I have been painting pictures for friends, and
am now at work on some wild roses for Mrs. D.'s golden wedding next
Monday, and yesterday I wrote her some verses for the occasion. The work
at the Hippodrome took a great deal of my time, and there is a poor
homeless fellow now at work in my garden, whom it was my privilege to
lead to Christ there, and who touched me not a little this morning by
bringing me three plants out of his scanty earnings. He has connected
himself with our Mission and has made friends there.

I do not know what Faber says about the silence of Christ, but I know
that as far as our own consciousness goes, He often answers never a
word, and that the grieved and disappointed heart must cling to Him more
firmly than ever at such times. We live in a mystery, and shall never
be satisfied till we see Him as He is. I am enjoying a great deal in a
great many ways, but I am afraid I should _run_ in if the gates opened.
If I go to the Centennial it will be to please some of the family, not
myself. You ask about my book; it is a sort of story; had to be to get
read; I could finish it in two weeks if needful. When I wrote it no
mortal knows; I should _say_ that about all I had done this winter was
to hold my Bible-reading, paint, and work in the revival. I have so few
interruptions compared with my previous life, that I hardly have learned
to adjust myself to them.

_To Miss E. A. Warner, Philadelphia, May 30, 1876._

We came here on a hospitable invitation to spend a week in the
Centennial grounds, and yesterday passed several hours in wandering
about, bewildered and amazed at the hosts of things we saw, and the
host we didn't see. We found ourselves totally ignorant of Norway, for
instance, whose contributions are full of artistic grace and beauty; and
I suppose we shall go on making similar discoveries about other nations.
As to the thirty-two art galleries we have only glanced at them.
What interested me most was groups of Norwegians, Lapps and other
Northerners, so life-like that they were repeatedly addressed by
visitors--wonderful reproductions. The extent of this Exhibition is
simply beyond description. The only way to get any conception of it is
to make a railroad circuit of the grounds.

I have had a _very_ busy winter; held a Bible-reading o