To the same:— ‘_January 1890._ ‘It was nice to see you. Be sure that nothing would be worse for you than to have no worries, to have all speak well of you. Besides the more you need wisdom the more you will ask and seek it, and the more it will come for your needs. ‘And it is only by patience under our trials that you can bear witness to her and others of the spirit that is in you.’ To the same:— ‘_August 1890._ ‘I shall not, I expect, see you. I do not go to Oxford till Saturday, and leave on Monday. I hope you will not be made ill at Ammergau; I mean to keep as quiet as I can. I have already begun a good read; all Lotze’s book on Religion, _The Children of Gibeon_, part of Stanley, a good deal of Green’s philosophical works, and _Lux Mundi_, and endless magazines.’ To the same:— ‘_August 1890._ ‘Thanks for your very interesting letter. I think I should have felt as you did. I once went to something of the kind in Switzerland, and liked some of the early scenes, but after the Agony in the Garden I felt I could see no more, and came out.... ‘I have had such cheering letters lately. One from a girl whom I thought the most tiresome I ever knew, about thirty-four years ago. She has been writing and saying how sorry she is, and wants to send her niece to be under me: “after many days thou shalt find it.”’ To the same:— ‘_November 1890._ ‘All good wishes for “more life and fuller.” Don’t trouble about not _feeling_. Remember the Lord’s words to those unfeeling disciples who went to sleep during His agony: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” There is winter as well as spring or summer in our spiritual life. “Die Blume verblüht, die Frucht muss treiben.” You complain of the outward excitement of others, yet you want inward excitement. See how in the _Imitatio_ one finds the same sort of feeling. I foresaw some reaction; there have been times during the last few years, during which you have been overstrained, and now you want a period of hybernation, I believe. You will, of course, go on doing just the same, as if you felt and saw, and you will believe in the Presence, and do your best.’ To the same:— ‘_June 1891._ ‘Don’t fret about what “they say,” not even listen, except to learn. I dare say they are right, and have sides of truth that we have not. In Tara there are beggars who go about saying: “What God gives, I will take”; each of us can only do that.