s case she would have
been very glad if C. could have found a healthy, capable wife, who would
have made him happy. She used to say that blindness was the strongest
possible bond of sympathy between husband and wife; and as she did not
for herself witness the untidiness and discomfort in the homes where man
and wife are both blind, and the almost unavoidable neglect of young
children, she could not share the objection of many members of the
Committee to marriage between the workpeople.

In 1879 her widowed sister, the Hon. Mrs. Elliot, was married to Mr.
Childers. Mr. Childers had not previously known Bessie personally, but
he saw her several times afterwards, and was greatly impressed by her
marvellous patience and resignation.

In one of her early interviews with him she had asked for information as
to the Blind and Deaf Mute Education Bill, which Mr. Wheelhouse, member
for Leeds, Mr. Mellor, and others, had introduced into the House of
Commons, but had been unsuccessful in passing. She wished to see any
papers Mr. Wheelhouse could send, and was much interested in his efforts
and in the correspondence which followed her request.

Many letters received at this time have been preserved, and they show
the influence which, from her bed of pain, she exercised on all around
her.

The following is from her old friend, Mr. Coxe, librarian of the
Bodleian. It is his last letter to her; he died in the following July:

NORTHGATE, OXFORD, _S. Stephen's Day, 1880_.

MY VERY DEAR BESSIE--How much I thank you for thinking of me on my
sick-bed, and sending me such a welcome Christmas gift to perfume
my existence. My wife immediately seized upon one (as owing, or
due, to her) and carried off the rest to some secret store-room,
unknown to me as yet, in my new house. I have been now nearly three
months in my bed and bedroom; how dare I speak of it to you in a
spirit other than of deep thankfulness that I have been allowed to
brave all weathers, and to work unscathed even to my 70th year.
Dear Fan ("old Fan!" it was such a pleasure seeing her!) will have
told you what nice quarters we have fallen on wherein to end our
days. It was one of the two houses I used in days gone by to covet;
the other was old Mr. Parker's, now young Fred Morrell's. Well,
dear Bessie, this season has had its message of peace too for you.
I am sure that you hav