Shew more respect to the Sovereign Disposer of our destiny. Excuse my being a little serious with you; he who gave me being, has a right to take it away, when and how he pleases. I hope Dr. Bartlett’s lessons are not thrown away upon me; with gratitude and joy have I prayed to my heavenly Father, when I have been walking alone in the country—and even now I can pray to him.
He turned his eyes involuntarily up to heaven. I sobbed, threw myself round his neck, and could not speak, it was as if my lips were sealed together. He then enquired for Edward, and when he heard that he was gone for a surgeon, he said, friendly creature! what I dread most in this circumstance is suspense, but I must have patience. Should any accident befall me, William, be a comfort to my parents. I believe that the catastrophe of this disorder is described as much more dreadful than it really is; few men go mad on account of the bite of a mad dog, and I never heard of any who communicated the canine delirium to the friends or relations who attended on them.
He then earnestly requested me to leave the room for a few minutes. I was obliged reluctantly to comply; and when I returned, caught him courageously searing the part with the red hot poker which he had put into the fire for that purpose. He tried to conceal from me the violent pain he endured; and did not utter a single groan, lest he should increase my anguish. Edward that moment entered, in a transport, with the identical little cur in his arms, crying, There is no danger, make yourselves easy! Charles turned his eyes towards heaven, with a look of gratitude; for my part I was almost out of my senses for joy. The man, to whom the dog belonged, accompanied Edward, and informed us, that the poor creature, having been provoked and chafed about, ran hastily home and hid itself under a bed. The general cry at first, he owned, made him afraid, (in spite of his reason) that a dog, who half an hour, before was perfectly well, might now be mad; but that shortly after, when he enticed it from its hiding place, it was very glad to eat and drink, and he perceived that the poor creature had only been terrified by cries and blows, and did not shew the least sign of madness[[1]]. Fortunately this man lived at one of the houses Edward was directed to, when he was seeking for the surgeon.
[1]. In Holland, no dogs are allowed to run in the streets during the summer hot months, without being secured by a small cord.
Was it not a very happy circumstance, dear Miss Emilia, that the dog was not killed in the scuffle, for we should still have remained in the most painful state of suspense, if we had not seen the animal perfectly well. You will see the dog, for Edward bought him, not for his beauty, but to make Sir Charles and his Lady perfectly easy.
The surgeon soon followed, but did not find it necessary to bleed your brother; he applied a plaister to his leg, which was very painful on account of the searing. We hired a horse that he might not be obliged to walk home on it, and ran in high spirits by his side, for I was afraid that my mother might have heard of the accident before we arrived, and I knew the effect it would have on her spirits. What uncommon resignation and firmness of mind did your brother exhibit on this distressing occasion! Surely true courage can only arise from virtue. I always tenderly loved him, but never before felt such a degree of respect and admiration; even when he was in the most violent pain he thought less of himself than others. Dear Emilia, I know your heart will leap for joy, as does at present that of your affectionate friend
WILLIAM.
P. S. I must add a few lines to tell my dear sister that I am perfectly well. William has spoken too highly of my composure; if I had had more presence of mind, I should not have paid any attention to what those ignorant people said; I should have recollected how often I have heard stories in England about mad dogs and cats, that some trifling accident gave rise to. Tell my father and mother, and tell yourself, that I never before felt that I loved you all so very very tenderly. God bless and preserve us all, and may we be a comfort to each other.
CHARLES.