s its brightest and most
powerful example,--an example which I believe will influence thousands
of persons for good through all time. To a man of Gordon's character
the disappointment of hopes he deemed so near fruition, and the sudden
manner of his death were of little importance. In his own words, he
left weariness for perfect rest. Our mourning for him is true and
real; as is also our loss, but we have a sure hope that a life and
death such as his are not extinguished by what we call death. I beg
to renew to you, Madam, the assurance of my sincere sympathy and
respectful condolence.

"MEHEMIT TEWFIK."

Also from the Queen, a letter full of womanly and queenly sympathy is
here recorded from _The Daily News_:

"DEAR MISS GORDON,--How shall I write to you, or how shall I attempt
to express what I feel? To think of your dear, noble, heroic brother,
who served his country and his Queen so truly, so heroically, with a
self-sacrifice so edifying to the world, not having been rescued: that
the promises of support were not fulfilled--which I so frequently and
constantly pressed on those who asked him to go--is to me grief
inexpressible: indeed it has made me ill. My heart bleeds for you,
his sister, who have gone through so many anxieties on his account,
and who loved the dear brother as he deserved to be. You are all so
good and trustful, and have such strong faith, that you will be
sustained even now, when real absolute evidence of your brother's
death does not exist--but I fear there cannot be much doubt of it.
Some day I hope to see you again to tell you all I cannot express. My
daughter Beatrice, who has felt quite as I do, wishes me to express
her deepest sympathy with you. I hear so many expressions of sorrow
from abroad; from my eldest daughter The Crown Princess, and from my
cousin the King of the Belgians--the very warmest. Would you express
to your other sister, and your elder brother my true sympathy, and
what I do so keenly feel, the stain left upon England for your dear
brother's cruel, though heroic fate! Ever, dear Miss Gordon, yours
sincerely and sympathizingly,

V.R.I."

A second letter from Her Majesty the Queen to acknowledge Miss Gordon's
gift of her brother's Bible. The very Bible he used when with me in
Manchester. His companion at Gravesend, and during his sojourn in the
Soudan (first time).