Mrs. Oakes. Footnote 224: This recalls Goethe’s line, ‘Der Augenblick ist Ewigkeit.’ Footnote 225: Ch. Simeon, 1759-1836, an eminent divine of the Evangelical school. His works, consisting of 2,536 sermons, &c., were published in twenty-one volumes in 1832. Footnote 226: Orbell Oakes, husband of ‘my friend,’ the beautiful Betsy. Footnote 227: J. Townsend, 1740-1816, English divine, and author of _A Journey through Spain_, 2nd edit. 1792. Footnote 228: John Owen, D.D., 1616-1683, the great Nonconformist divine who accompanied Cromwell to Scotland. In 1817 A. Y. published _Oweniana_ (or selections from his works). Footnote 229: John Flavel, Nonconformist divine, 1627-1662, author of numerous works. Footnote 230: By Walter Marshall, 1692; frequently reprinted. Footnote 231: Joseph Skinner, _Present State of Peru_, 1805. Footnote 232: ‘There is now with us a Mr. Van Couver, of Vancouver’s Island, who would entertain you very much. He is making an agricultural tour in Sussex.’—_Letters of Maria Josepha Holroyd_, p. 326. Footnote 233: Nicholas Vansittart, Lord Bexley, sometime Governor of Bengal of great financial reputation. Footnote 234: W. Marshall, 1778-1817, a voluminous writer on agriculture, _Minutes of Agriculture_, &c. &c. Footnote 235: Evidently alluding to Sir Nathaniel Wraxall, a voluminous writer in France, whose works are now forgotten. Footnote 236: J. Blackadder, lieut.-colonel, afterwards minister, died in prison 1685. Footnote 237: ‘Cock’s foot grass, considered valuable as a pasture grass in light soils.’—_Loudon._ ----- CHAPTER XVI LAST YEARS, 1808-1820 Gradual loss of sight—Illness and death of Mrs. Oakes—Daily routine—A disappointment—Riots—Death of Mrs. Young—Anecdotes of Napoleon—A story of the Terror—National distress—Close of diary—The end. In February I was obliged to take a reader as my sight was failing fast. _February 27._—For some months past I have had the comfort of seeing my debts drawing to such a conclusion that I might consider myself as free; and I have certainly thought too much of it, and rested too much satisfaction in it, and not sufficiently been thankful to God for so great a blessing. If I am so ungrateful as not to thank God sufficiently for blessings, how can I expect to avoid misfortunes? My eyes! My eyes! Is not His hand upon me here, too, for the same reason? What has been my gratitude to Him for their preservation during sixty-seven years? and what uses have I made of them? _April 4._—How employment can be carried further than with me I am at a loss to conceive. Notwithstanding the state of my eyes I am generally up at 4 A.M., though I do not call St. Croix [his reader] before five.