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 66 Prayers and Meditations.

nearer the altar, and read the collects chosen for meditation. I prayed for Salusbury x and I think the Thrales. I then com municated with calmness, used the collect for Easter day, and returning to the first pew, prayed my prayer the third time. I came home, again used my prayer and the Easter Collect. Then went into the study to Boswel 2, and read the Greek Testament. Then dined, and when Boswel went away ended the four first chapters of St. Matthew, and the Beatitudes of the fifth.

I then went to Evening prayers, and was composed.

I gave the Pewkeepers each $s. $d. z

Apr. i 2 near one in the morning. I used my prayer with my ordinary devotions, and hope to lead henceforward a better life.

102.

June 1 8, 1773, Friday.

This day after dinner died Mrs Salusbury, she had for some days almost lost the power of speaking. Yesterday as I touched her hand and kissed it, she pressed my hand between her two hands, which she probably intended as the parting caress 4. At night her speech returned a little ; and she said among other things to her daughter, I have had much time, and I hope I have used it. This morning being called about nine to feel her pulse I said at parting God bless you, for Jesus Christs sake. She smiled, as pleased. She had her senses perhaps to the dying moment.

103.

July 22, 73.

This day I found this book 5 with the resolutions, some of which I had forgotten, but remembered my design of reading the Pentateuch and Gospels, though I have not perused it.

1 Mrs. Salusbury, Mrs. Thrale's entertained at his table.' Life, ii. 215.

mother, who was dying of cancer. 3 The fourth part of a guinea.

Letters, i. 196, n. 5. 4 Writing of her a few weeks

3 'To my great surprise,' writes earlier he said: 'Part we must at

Boswell, * he asked me to dine with last, but the last parting is very

him on Easter-day. I never sup- afflictive. When I see her I shall

posed that he had a dinner at his torment her with caressing her.'

house ; for I had not then heard of Letters^ i. 213.

any one of his friends having been 5 A book in which this, and the

Of

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