Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/138

122 Bonar, D.D., the well known poet, and Mrs. Bonar herself wrote the beautiful hymn—

A few years before, Mr. Carter from his mother-in-law’s country-house had witnessed the burning of the steamboat “Henry Clay” on the Hudson. He told Mrs. Duncan that among the passengers was a young and lovely American lady, whose body was found with the memorial of Mary Lundie Duncan clasped in her hands, with her finger marking the place in the volume where she had been reading when the death messenger came to her.

Mrs. Duncan was a lady of remarkable personal beauty and stately presence, and her conversation and correspondence were greatly valued by Mr. Carter. Among the books he published for her was the Memorial of her son, Rev. George Lundie, missionary to Samoa. In her book, “Children of the Manse,” she gives an account of the early training of her children, and those who read it will not wonder that such a family life as hers resulted in such lives as those of Mary, George, and Catharine Lundie.

An amusing incident of her early married life was often related by Mr. Carter. When the Total Abstinence movement first began, Mr. Lundie and she became strong advocates of the cause. In those days it was the custom to give a glass of whiskey in addition to the regular pay to any one who came about a house for an odd job; but Mr. and Mrs. Lundie made up their minds that such things must be stopped in their house. A man was hired to carry in their winter coal, and when the work was done Mrs. Lundie told him that the minister had