“I am thy truly affectionate Uncle, “J. J. GURNEY. “My congratulations and kind regards to Rob. Pryor. I told thy mother that I was ready to be £50 towards thy expenses, shouldst thou take a journey—to be had at Overend’s any day, on my account.” Congratulatory letter from his aunt:— “UPTON, 1834, “I must, my dear Edward, add one line of expression about my pleasure in hearing of thy success; my only fear for thee seems to be lest thou mayst not feel humble enough, and continue to remember from whom thou gained thy excellent talents and powers of perseverance. To Him thou art, I know, desirous of dedicating them. I am writing by my dear John, who unites with us in our feeling for thee, and begs to unite in love to thee; thou wilt, I am sure, have felt for him in this trying relapse, but we desire to be enabled to believe it is permitted in mercy, and the favourable recovery from the operation is very cheering to us. Thy uncle with Sarah and Prise dined at Hampstead yesterday; the dear circle there as well as one could expect. “Thy very affectionate Aunt, “E. GURNEY.” Letter of congratulation from his cousin:— “UPTON, 1834. “MY DEAR EDWARD,—We are all so much interested and delighted at hearing of thy capital success, that a few lines must go to tell thee how warmly we congratulate thee, and how heartily we rejoice in it; it was most kind of thee to write and let us know of the result of the battle; we were longing to hear, the uncertainty of yesterday’s report being so disappointing. It is pleasant to hear of Robert Pryor’s doing so nobly, though I must confess my cousinly feelings would have been quite as well satisfied if you had changed places. Kitty desired me to give her love most particularly, and to tell thee she had set off directly to tell the Frys and the Listers about thee. Thou wilt have heard of the great anxiety we have gone through lately on dear John’s account; we have now the great comfort and mercy of seeing him recovering as well as possible from this attack. The horses are at the door for a ride, and all the party waiting for me, so I must say no more. “Thy very affectionate Cousin, “S. GURNEY.” CHAPTER IV _VISIT TO IRELAND_, _AND PREPARATION FOR HOLY ORDERS_