Is he not gone, our brightest and our best?
Come near! and bear the early-called to rest!
"Ye weep, and it is well!
For tears befit earth's partings! Yesterday
Song was upon the lips of this pale clay,
And sunshine seemed to dwell
Where'er he moved—the welcome and the blessed!
Now gaze and bear the silent unto rest!" Mrs. Hemans.
Friday, March 16th, 1838.
My dearly loved mother,—With a heart borne down with sorrow, I take my pen to communicate the sad intelligence which even as I write my heart refuses to believe. My sweet little Walter, my first-born son; your only grandchild, is, alas! no more on earth!