Anna Maria DICKINSON [13288]

  Other Records

1. Anna Maria Hornidge: Letter to Susan Mosley, 2 May 1873, 21 Gordon St.
Bygone Days Page 257 - 258 See Books section

On the death of CATHERINE G. TORLESSE.
"DEAREST SUSAN,
"We can hardly help thinking of one another now in the sorrow of our common loss ; next to the dear Stoke party you are the one most on my heart, for I know how you loved and trusted her, and what a comfort and blessing you have been to her. We see our dearest and best gathered into the garner of God, taken away, as we know, from all present sorrow, and spared any care for the future, but we have lost their ready sympathy, and the earth does feel very empty and dreary. Don't you find it very hard to realise that dearest Catherine is gone ? There was such a marvellous amount of vitality even of body, but specially of mind and heart, one hardly thought of decay much less of death. God was very good to her in giving her the power of caring for her dear ones to the end, she could never have felt herself useless. Then, too, she was so cared for by her children, and though not actually belonging to our family, she had so identified herself with us that she was a common bond and centre, and had, I am sure, much enjoyment in our love. What a loss it is to dearest Harriet. I remember well the way in which she expressed her love for Catherine, perhaps five-and-forty years ago. In her warmest manner she one day said, My soul is knit to dear Catherine.' But she has had the comfort of being with her in her closing days, and what a tender merciful provision it was for both of them. I am so very glad that you were with them
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at Hastings, what a comfort it will be to you. Do look at a little bit in one of those 12 Lectures of Dr. Hughes, towards the end, on the state of the departed. I have it not at hand to find out the exact part, but you cannot fail to find it out, and I know you will take possession of it. To me this year, 1873, has already been a very sad one, loss after loss has followed in quick succession, and there is great need to be stirred up to seek the things that are above, and not to let one's thoughts rest too much on our light afflictions which are but for a moment. In our 'patience we are to possess our souls,' but patience is a chastened not a hardened feeling, and it must be after the example of His patience, who in all our afflictions was afflicted. "I hope I am not wearying you, but being alone (as to any expressions of sorrow) it is a comfort to let out a little bit of my heart to you.
" Ever dearest Susan, "
Your very loving,
"A. M. HORNIDGE."

Anna married Dr John HORNIDGE [13289] [MRIN: 4458] on 27 Sep 1825 in St George the Martyr Queen St Holborn LND. (Dr John HORNIDGE [13289] was born about 1799 and died about 1830 in MDX LND.)