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a little more courage perhaps than even yourself, who are my instructor. For you (so you write) have some degree of hope to comfort you, whereas I shall maintain my courage even amid utter despair, as, in spite of that despair, you yourself are at once exhorting and instructing me to do. For you cheer me with reminders of what I cannot but feel that I have done, and of what I achieved, with you in the first rank of my supporters. Yes, I did for my country certainly no less than I was bound to do—assuredly more than has ever been demanded of the heart or head of any human being.

⁵ You will, I hope, forgive me if I am somewhat self-laudatory; it was your intention, I know, to raise me from my depression by making me think about certain things; well, it soothes me to talk about them too. And so, as you advise, I mean to withdraw myself as much as possible from all that troubles and distresses me, and to turn my thoughts to the things which add a lustre to prosperity, while they help one to bear adversity. So far as our age and health on either side permit, I shall be your companion, and if we cannot be as much together as we could wish, we shall still so enjoy our affinity of mind, and identity of tastes, as to seem to be always together.

¹ If you are in good health, all is well. I enjoy my I usual health, and yet indeed it is not quite as good as usual. I have often missed you, as I wanted to