Page:Early Reminiscences.djvu/130

98 swallow capsicum and vinegar with such a smiling countenance as did your grandfather."

When at Lew he embarked in mining speculations, and he lost so much that at one time he was obliged to have the old buggy hoisted into the hay-loft over the stable and concealed there, lest it should be taken for a bad debt.

On 18th December, 1813, my grandfather wrote to my father from St. Petersburg. The times were precarious, half Germany was flooded with French soldiers; the Peace that had been concluded on June 4th came to an end on August 10th. Napoleon, in May, had gained the battles of Lützen and Bautzen, and had occupied Leipzig and Dresden; and it was not till October 16-18 that the Battle of the Nations at Leipzig broke Napoleon's power.

Whether my grandfather was returning by sea or land is uncertain. Anyhow he was doubtful as to the result. Accordingly on August 18th he wrote:

",

"Tho' I am now well in health and with the happy prospect before me of returning once more to my dear wife and family, yet life is so precarious, and as the situation of your excellent mother and brothers and sisters would be, in the event of my death, dependent in a great measure on your love and affection for them—allow me, my dear son (in this moment of doubt respecting my future fate) to recommend you to follow the ideas I have expressed in my Will, about what little property may with your aid be appropriated to their use. I have no doubt from the natural goodness of your heart, and principles of gratitude to the best of mothers, you will do everything that is in your power to be done to supply the loss of your father if Heaven should so ordain it; but, to receive it as my last request and that with the consciousness of executing it conformable to my wishes, I am confident, will add much to the satisfaction of doing that, which you would otherwise conceive to be your duty. Persevere always, my dear son, in this line of conduct, and you must be happy in this world or the next. Wherever we are to meet again let us have that never-failing source of consolation. And that Heaven may bless and protect you is the sincere wish of, Dear Edward,

"Your affectionate father,

"."