stood in need of help. To me her loss is irreparable, and I believe I am only one of a great many who went to her in times of trouble.” But this sorrowful experience was not the only grief of that year, for Miss Chessar never left Brussels again, surviving Dr. Hodgson less than a month. She had not been strong, but no one had in the least anticipated anything serious, and this second blow, following so closely on the first, greatly affected Miss Buss, who thus lost by one stroke the two persons who were the greatest help and strength in her work. Like herself, they were both teachers of remarkable power, and the three friends had set themselves to raise the general standard of teaching, while at the same time their sympathies in other directions cemented a close friendship. The force of this double loss is given very clearly in the replies from Mrs. Grey and Miss Shirreff to letters from Miss Buss, these letters themselves not being attainable— “Meran, “Sept. 20, 1880. “MY DEAR MISS BUSS, “It was only yesterday that we heard, from Miss Brough, of the death of Miss Chessar, and I write in both our names to express our deep and affectionate sympathy with you in this second, and, I fear, even heavier loss, coming so soon after Dr. Hodgson’s death. Our own sense of loss is very heavy; though we knew her so little in private life, she had inspired us with real and warm personal regard, besides admiration for her remarkable powers. We are anxious that a fitting obituary notice should appear in the _Journal_, if it is not already done, and have written to Miss Brough to get it done. Will you help her to do full justice to your common friend? And please, whenever you have a moment’s leisure, let us hear how you are yourself. “It grieves us to hear how your sorely needed holiday has been turned into a day of sadness and mourning by these two deaths. Dr. Hodgson’s must have been such a terrible shock, and from its circumstances have brought upon you so much to try you, in addition to the personal loss. We women have lost in him a friend such as we shall not see again, and he was one of the few left in this dull generation who could fight with wit as well as earnestness, and had always a good story to clinch an argument. “I cannot hear of all the good work going on without a pang at being so unable to join in any of it, and all my idleness and care of my useless self has not brought me any nearer, that I can see or feel, towards ever joining in it again!... We go to Florence and then to Rome, where I hope we shall see you in the Christmas holidays. With love from us both, ever, dear Miss Buss, “Your affectionate “MARIA G. GREY.”