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If detained at home, either by her own illness or that of others of the family, she records her deep enjoyment in reading her Bible or some religious book, though once she writes: "Read my Bible. How much I lose by not reading it more!" Yet she probably read it diligently, for it is not unusual for her to mention rising early for private devotional exercises. The entry for November 12, 1859, is characteristic: "Rose at 4, and after spending an hour in my room, went to Saturday morning duties." Her life was not spent in “visions” but in "duties." Her active duties were many, but she was never satisfied unless her inward spirit was the true one in performing them. September 14, 1859, she writes: "I dropped a word or two that cast a shadow. I am sorry." "Oh, for meekness and wisdom!" she cries out in some domestic trial. Indeed, her constant appeal for divine help is very touching all through the diaries. Moreover, she never forgets to give thanks for the mercies received. Though her very life seems to be in her complete dependence upon God, yet her creed in the earlier days at least -was an iron one, and the fear of God often seems to overshadow his love.

Such reserve and dignity as Mrs. Wheaton's is very often accompanied by pride of character. But Mrs. Wheaton was singularly humble. In her diaries there is not one entry that would indicate

that she ever thought of herself more highly than she ought to think. Indeed, what is most marked in them is that she does not seem to think of herself at all, except as she occasionally makes some exclamation showing how far she felt herself to fall short of her own standards. "My class, but oh, how little I do!" "O this anxious heart! when will it rest?" October 16, 1853, she writes: "Oh! for a heart to be wholly the Lord's!" Those who remember her last illness fifty-two years later, will realize that this had been her constant prayer through all these years.

There is no gossip in the diaries and no faultfinding. If it is necessary for her to note any injury done to herself, it is in the fewest of words. That she always forgave those who were sorry for having done wrong is everywhere evident. There is no doubt that she forgave fully many very great injuries. Indeed, no one could read these diaries without being impressed with the feeling that here was a woman whose life did not centre in herself, but who was constantly striving to be "wholly the Lord's."

CHAPTER VII

A SUMMER IN EUROPE

IN the hope of restoring Mr. Wheaton's failing health the Wheatons spent the summer of 1862 abroad, sailing from Boston on the Niagara, April 16. They were accompanied by their friend, Major David E. Holman, who had business in placing a patent in Europe. The passage was very rough, and Mrs. Wheaton was not only seasick, but timid. At last she struggled on deck. She writes in her journal: "I could find none who sympathized with me in apprehending danger to the ship. The English have a confidence in one of Cunard's steamers that seems to set aside the superintending providence of God." Nevertheless, she records a “feeling of quiet trust" during the voyage, which is characteristic of her. Naturally timid, she had so firm a reliance herself on "the providence of God" that in the most trying circumstances all through her life, she always appeared calm and courageous.

Of the voyage, she says: "I can never tell the sweet, grateful emotions that filled my heart as day after day kind acts and kind words met me.

Friendship never seemed so precious. If God had not strengthened and essentially aided me through friends, I know not what I could have done in leaving things safe at home."

Her first impression of Liverpool leads her to the conclusion that enough wines, brandies, etc., are sold there "to furnish the world with means of destruction."

"At evening," she says, "a servant comes in, draws the curtains around the bed, so you may be thoroughly poisoned by your own breathing. Of course I undid what they did."

The party went almost immediately to London, where they spent about half of the time of their absence from home. There they soon settled themselves in a quiet street in a good quarter, taking a suite of rooms in a family lodging-house and having their meals sent in to their own parlor, giving them a very home-like feeling. The rooms were opposite some botanic gardens, and Mrs. Wheaton was delighted with the trees in bloom and the singing of the birds. She was also interested in the equipages of the nobility constantly passing her windows, and wrote to her "dear Matty" that she wished the little Holmes boys were beside her to see the powdered footmen and coachmen in their fine liveries, and the richly-dressed ladies in the carriages.

In London, she met many old friends, among whom she saw frequently Mrs. Fowler (Lydia Folger), an early pupil and teacher in the Seminary, who knew London thoroughly, and proved an excellent guide. Mrs. Fowler had a lively disposition, and made one of the Wheaton party on the "Darby Day," of which neither she nor Mrs. Wheaton could ever afterwards speak without laughing. But for all that, and though the Wheatons naturally gravitated towards any place where fine horses were to be seen (witness their great interest in the horse-taming exhibitions of Rarey and others), yet Mrs. Wheaton's diary testifies that she did not escape some qualms of conscience over the experience.

In London, the Wheatons looked about them in a leisurely way, seeing all the great sights that everybody sees. It is characteristic that the first time Mrs. Wheaton walked out, she visited the National Gallery, and that her first Sunday was spent in listening to Spurgeon. She was thrilled by the singing of the 6000 members of Spurgeon's congregation. The choral service at St. Paul's also affected her deeply. "The sound, as it reverberated from the high arches, seemed as I have imagined the heavenly strains might, to a soul just released from its clay tenement." She describes the many layers of coffins that inclose the dust of Wellington,

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