On reaching this place, I received letters from Falkland, and one from my brother-in-law, entreating my interference with my uncle for a loan. This I must peremptorily refuse, and cordially do I wish that the latter had returned home a poor man, that such of his family, as are inclined to love him, might indulge the feeling without suspicion of its purity; and that such as would prey upon his very vitals, without regard to any thing but the most sordid self-interest, should be kept from persecuting and injuring his fine mind, by increasing the measure of its distrust. He is not fond of me, but I love him because he has good taste enough to distinguish you. Say every thing kind and respectful to him for me, which you do not think him likely to reject, and with tender loves to the rest of the dear group, I am, dearest Frederick, in haste, Your affectionate, A. HOWARD. LETTER XXIX. MRS. DOUGLAS TO MRS. E. SANDFORD. You would have reason, my Elizabeth, to complain of my silence, were your heart less alive than it is to the interesting occupations which have devolved upon your friends of the valley; and though I am blessed with such coadjutors as few can boast, there is employment for us _all_ in our several departments. My dear brother’s health declines so slowly, that the progress of disease is scarcely perceptible, and deceives all the young group, as well as the sanguine Oliphant; but I feel that Edward Otway and I are prophets but too true when we agree in prognosticating a termination to all his sufferings, whether of mind or body, that belong to this world, and that too at no great distance of time. He has been so wearied out by medicines, that he now resolves on trying the effects of a system in which nature and affection shall be chief instruments. I submit to his views in the full belief that a winter’s repose is necessary to his existence, and as my solicitude is increased by the responsibility which we encounter in permitting this dear invalid to remain so far removed from what is called “the best advice,” you may suppose how continually my thoughts are employed about him.