[5] The editor, in justice to his own feelings, will here remark, that he believes the continuation of Mr. Lawrence's life, after he became a confirmed invalid, was, under Providence, in a great measure due to the care and faithful attentions of his wife. For more than twenty years, and during his frequent seasons of languor and sickness, she submitted to many sacrifices, and bestowed a degree of care and watchfulness such as affection alone could have enabled her to render.
To his daughter, who was on a visit at Washington, he writes:
"MY DEAR CHILD: The contrast in the weather to-day with what it has been most of the time since you left home, is as great as is usual between a bleak November day and the soft air of June. To-day it is beautiful, but on Wednesday it snowed, hailed, and rained, and I am told, indeed, that a few miles beyond Amherst the snow fell four inches in depth. You have reason to be thankful that you have been in a milder climate, and, at the same time, are seeing all the wonders that open upon you in the new world on which you have entered.
"I shall be expecting a letter from you within a day or two; there can be no want of materials where so many new objects are constantly presenting themselves, and there is a pleasure in receiving them just as they appear to you; so you need not be afraid to place before me the first sketches, precisely as you catch them.
"To-day I suppose you are in Philadelphia, and, if so, I hope you have attended a Friends' meeting. The manner of worship and the appearance of the people are different from anything you have seen; and the influence of this sect upon the taste and manners of the people is very striking, particularly in the matter of their dress. It is said that you can judge something of the character of a lady from her dress. Without deeming it an essential, I think it of some consequence. This strikes the eye only, and may deceive; how much more important that the dress of the heart and mind and affections be right, and that no deception be found there! I do most earnestly pray God that every opportunity may be improved by you, my dear S., to adorn yourself with all those graces that shall not only charm the eye, but also with those that shall win the affections of those whose affection you would prize, and more especially that you will secure the approval of our best Friend.