ee, nor do
I like to keep thee in the dark as to our real state. This is, I
consider, one of the deepest trials to which we are liable; its
perplexities are so great and numerous, its mortifications and
humiliations so abounding, and its sorrows so deep. None can tell,
but those who have passed through it, the anguish of heart at times
felt; but, thanks be to God, this extreme state of distress has not
been very frequent, nor its continuance very long. I frequently
find my mind in degree sheathed against the deep sorrows, and am
enabled not to look so much at them; but there are also times when
secondary things arise, such as parting with servants, schools, the
poor around us, and our dear home. These things overwhelm me;
indeed, I think naturally I have a very acute sense of the sorrow.
Then the bright side of the picture arises. I have found such help
and strength in prayer to God, and highly mysterious as this
dispensation may be in some points of view, yet I think I have
frequently, if not generally, been able to say, "Not as I will, but
as Thou wilt," and bow under it. All our children and
children-in-law, my brothers and sisters, our many friends and
servants, have been a strong consolation to me.

It was not possible, however, for Mrs. Fry to suffer without
experiencing an unwonted measure of sympathy from all classes of the
community. Many hearts followed her most lovingly in these hours of
humiliation and sorrow; and when it was known that she must leave
Plashet House, the tide of deep sympathy overflowed more than one heart.
As a preliminary step the family moved, first to St. Mildred's Court,
then to the home of their eldest son. The business which had been
carried on there by Mr. Fry and his father was now conducted by his
sons; and by this the young men were enabled to provide for the comfort
of their parents. Their bidding good-bye to Plashet, however, entailed
very much that was sad to others. The schools hitherto supported by the
Frys were handed over to the care of the vicar of the parish; many old
pensioners and servants had to be given over to the kindness of others,
or in some cases, possibly, to the not very tender mercies of "the
parish;" while she herself, who had always laid it down as an
indispensable rule to be _just_ before being generous, was compelled to
conform her manner of life to somewhat narro