I had been prepared by Edward Otway’s letters, while he remained in London, for finding my brother’s character deeply interesting; but I had no notion in what degree, and my heart still lingers with him in the moments of our necessary separation. He is a theme so engrossing, that I could dilate much more upon it than the limits which I have prescribed to myself will allow; but all that I have not time to write, you shall one day hear, for I lay up every word that he utters, not only because of the intrinsic value which I attach to his sentiments and opinions, but they derive a sacredness from his present situation (hovering as the bright spirit now is upon the confines of eternity), which keeps me almost breathless in his company, lest I should lose a syllable that falls from his lips. You already know what a _mine_ we have discovered, of the richest treasure, under that scaly armour, in which he had fortified himself against the anticipated assaults of such sordid principles as he was accustomed to see govern the conduct of those men with whom early habit had associated him. Imagine then the happiness of seeing all this rough coating drop off, and present the sweetest, most confiding nature to our view. You and I have often watched the unfolding of that beautiful zoophyte, the sea anemone, when, after having been left exposed, by the retreat of the waves from its rocky asylum, to the chilling influence of a northern blast, it expanded its delicate fibres to the soft returning tide; and from a shrunk and shapeless thing, opened into a star of glowing and transparent brilliancy. Just in such manner has the noble mind of our precious invalid been blighted by the pitiless storms which rage along the coasts of avarice and self-interest. In such manner also has he unlocked his soul in this little sheltered bay, to the gentle flow of affection. How thankful do I feel for the blessing of being permitted to see this hour, and bear a part in the scene which Glenalta now exhibits! The process of change too has been as quick as it is gratifying; a cautious and alternating advance and recession would have been the history of an ordinary mind, but the impulses of a generous character are instinctive and uncalculating. They yielded at once in my brother to the force of truth; and that reserve which is still occasionally observable in his manner, expresses nothing like the coldness of doubt, but seems only to say, “alas! why has this native element of kindness, this congenial sympathy, been so long withheld, and why am I only learning, for the first time, to bask in the warm sunshine, when the orb of day is descending from his meridian, and hastening to hide his radiant beams in the deep?” So powerfully do I feel impressed with a belief that this is the secret language of his heart, that my eyes too often betray me, and I am obliged to hurry from his presence, that I may avoid discovering my emotion.