Page:Hannah More (1887 Charlotte Mary Yonge British).djvu/207

Rh Barley Wood was purchased by Mr. Harford, and about the same time the copyright of all Mrs. More's works was bought by Cadell. Her expenses being reduced within reasonable bounds, she had full scope for all her benevolence, and with an easier mind, so that she was really happy when the shock was over. She was much amused by hearing that her Hints for the Education of a young Princess, after having been for twenty years excluded from publication in the republican atmosphere of the United States, had at last been brought out there as a valuable literary work. "I have conquered America," she merrily exclaimed.

Her memory, however, began to fail at times, and though at others there was the old sparkle of vivacity, there were slight confusions and repetitions; and as time went on it, became needful to keep her from the strain and exhaustion of visitors. In the autumn of 1832 a great shock befell her in the death of her friend Miss Roberts, and in November, after a heavy cold on her chest, "a degree of bewilderment, or mild delirium" set in, and continued at short intervals during the ten months that remained of her life. Even then, she could still read without spectacles, and hear perfectly, and retained her comeliness of appearance; nor did she suffer, but was uniformly cheerful, enjoying the Psalms, and often, when they were read to her, finishing the verse. Once, indeed, she said, "My dear, do people never die? Oh! glorious grave!" When the last day