Then, trust me, Chalmers, thou describ’st thyself;
And all the charms which in Brown’s picture shine,
By thy unconscious hand pourtray’d, are thine.
Mrs. Opie’s health was already impaired, and she suffered from attacks of the disorder which afflicted her throughout the remainder of life. She walked lame, and was under medical treatment; but still her spirit was buoyant, and she wrote, “I am full of hope; and after all, it is no bad thing for any of us to feel the time for positive preparation come. Life, indeed, ought to be a constant state of preparation for death; but few make it so, and I feel I have not so done.”
In the spring of 1834, she went to London.
I do love home better than any other place, and also solitude, (she says,) which is indeed a mercy, considering my lone condition; and I almost dread the idea of London, but “such is the sweet pliability of woman’s spirit,” that I dare say, when I get there, I shall be pleased. * * * This winter has been one of much physical trial, but I believe I can say, without affectation, it has been one of the happiest and most beneficial of my life.
Sir B. Brodie’s opinion, that there was no radical disease, relieved “her mind of its burden;” although she still suffered from pain. “But, (she says,) Yearly Meeting is an excellent cordial; I forget all my ailments there, and could almost wish life itself were one Yearly Meeting!”
The month of August found her on her way to Scotland. Eighteen years had past since she was there, and it had been a long-anticipated purpose some day to revisit it, and to see the Highlands. On the 9th inst. she went on board the “Monarch” steamer; her Journal gives an amusing account of the scene she witnessed when she woke up during the night, and of the inconveniences of the crowded vessel. The next day was the sabbath, and service was performed by a clergyman on board. “Afterwards, (she says,) I read some psalms, and have been in spirit with my afflicted friends the Candlers, at their mother’s interment, and have thought of them and other friends there; I hope I too have been thought of and remembered before the throne of grace.” The terror of sea-sickness was upon her, but a quiet and refreshing night restored her; and in the afternoon of the day the Scottish coast was visible. On arriving at Edinburgh, she established herself in lodgings, and writes thus in her note book:—
Deeply thankful do I feel for the mercy that has hitherto attended and watched over me! Oh, that beautiful and sublime castle and rock, on which I gaze from my sitting-room window, how I delight to see them again!
On the 14th she left Edinburgh to attend a General Meeting of Friends, at Aberdeen.