RETURN TO NORWICH; EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY; DR. CHALMERS AND MRS. OPIE AT EARLHAM; LINES ADDRESSED BY MRS. OPIE TO DR. CHALMERS; “LAYS FOR THE DEAD;” VISIT TO LONDON; JOURNEY TO SCOTLAND; HER JOURNAL THERE; THE HIGHLANDS; HER VISIT TO ABBOTSFORD.

After her long absence, Mrs. Opie, on her return to Norwich, took up her abode in lodgings, in St. Giles’ street. We find her note book with its daily entries, from which we give a few extracts:—

Arrived at 70, St. Giles’ street, on fourth day, 25th of the 6th mo., 1833; having paid for my fare, (from London,) £2, and for coachman and guard, 8s. 6d. Breakfasted and went to bed, thankful for my safe arrival, and also that I did not feel not coming to my own home and servants. At three, I rose, and went to call on my aunt, whom I found drest to go out, and looking well and happy; then went to the Sparshalls’ and E. Martineau’s, thence to the Willetts’, and found them well; gave her the handkerchief and bag, and left the dandy pocket handkerchief for Joseph S.; then went to the burying-ground; found my dear father’s grave well done, and the “Forget-me-not” on it, in full bloom! thankful for that; next I went to my uncle’s; home tired, and went to bed; on my way, I was kindly greeted by some poor people, and welcomed home. I must call on poor Lizzy’s parents as soon as I can—her death me tient au cœur: I know she was well cared for in temporals, but more I know not. (5th day, 26th.) Went to meeting; a full attendance. Friends very kind in their welcome home. R. Dix stood some time, and afterwards was engaged in prayer. R. Holmes spoke a few words, and dear Lucy Aggs, both in the meeting for worship and discipline, was highly favoured indeed. Dined at the Grove. Sat by H. Birkbeck at dinner, according to his request and my own inclination—a pleasant day. Went home by the Ashs’, and learned there the death of poor S. J.; how thankful I am that before I went away I put her under the care of C. A. and M. G., so I know all was done for her that she needed. She was a truly pious Methodist, and needed not the preparation of a death-bed, I believe, to fit her to meet the Lord. (3rd day evening.) Having dined, I went out at seven, took tea at my own dear ci-devant house! and saw the improvements—it is now perfect. (28th, 7th day.) A letter franked; a note from Lady Cork, enclosing one from Mrs. T. Read M. Henry’s Life; drank tea at Dr. Ash’s; calling at S. Wilkin’s and T. Brightwell’s chemin faisant; enjoyed my visit; to bed thankful, but low. (1st day, 29th.) Rose after a restless night; Meeting at the Gildencroft; felt favoured, still, and encouraged. Went with S. Mackie to visit the graves; forbad the culture of that yellow flower (name unknown to me) on them, in future. After dinner called on A. Bevans, surprised and pleased to find her so well in body; her mind is always well. He is the great Physician of souls! Fire in my room; read again M. Henry’s Life. (2nd day, 30th.) H. Girdlestone called; wrote to Paris; room north and cold; I have a fire. Called on poor —— at her desire; she thought I should do her good. I did my best, having asked Divine assistance; sent her Wesley’s Hymns for all states, and Worthington on “Self-resignation.” What a dreadful feeling for any one to feel themselves spiritually deserted and unable to pray! but then the case is one of physical, as well as moral disease. May I be permitted to do her good, by leading her to throw herself wholly on her Saviour. Called on my dear old friends, the Rogers. (3rd day 1st of mo.) Went to the Infant School, called on the Whites, the Candlers, and the Wagstaffes. To tea at the Martineaus. (5th day, 3rd.) Came to the Grove for a week. * * * *

The “Lays for the Dead,” many of which had been written during her stay in Cornwall, were now completed and prepared for publication. Among them are many which have reference to friends and events connected with the history of her life through successive years, and some are very touching tributes to the memory of those she had loved and lost. This little volume concludes with a series of “Sketches of St. Michael’s Mount,” inscribed to Lord de Dunstanville and Sir John St. Aubyn. When it was published, she wrote, “I have humbly endeavoured to school my mind against the trial of its failure, by meditation and prayer; sadly monotonous it must be; the St. Michael’s Mount Lays are less gloomy, but all are tinged.”

In the month of July, of this year, Mrs. Opie enjoyed the great pleasure of meeting Dr. Chalmers, who was then on a visit to Mr. J. J. Gurney. In his Journal, Dr. C. gives a pleasing account of this occurrence, from which we select an extract.[[39]]

“Friday, July 26th. * * * Last of all, I must mention another lady, who dined and spent the night—one who, in early life, was one of the most distinguished of our literary women, whose works, thirty years ago, I read with great delight—no less a person than the celebrated Mrs. Opie, authoress of the most exquisite feminine tales, and for which I used to place her by the side of Miss Edgeworth. It was curious to myself, that though told by Mr. Gurney in the morning, of her being to dine, I had forgot the circumstance; and the idea of the accomplished novelist and poet was never once suggested by the image of this plain-looking Quakeress, till it rushed upon me after dinner, when it suddenly and inconceivably augmented the interest I felt in her. We had much conversation, and drew greatly together, walking and talking with each other on the beautiful lawn after dinner. She has had access into all kinds of society, and her conversation is all the more rich and interesting. I complained to her of one thing in Quakerism, and that is the mode of their introductions: that I could have recognised in Mrs. Opie an acquaintance of thirty years’ standing, but that I did not and could not feel the charm of any such reminiscence, when Joseph John simply bade me lead out Amelia from his drawing-room to his dining-room. I felt, however, my new acquaintance with this said Amelia to be one of the great acquisitions of my present journey; and this union of rank, and opulence, and literature, and polish of mind, with plainness of manners, forms one of the great charms of the society in this house. Had much and cordial talk all the evening; a family exposition before supper, and at length a general breaking up, somewhere about eleven o’clock, terminated this day at once of delightful recreation and needful repose.

“Saturday, July 27th. Mrs. Opie left us early, and we parted from each other most cordially.”

Mrs. Opie was much gratified with this meeting, and afterwards addressed these lines

TO DR. CHALMERS.

On reading his description of Dr. Brown, in his Chapter on the connexion