Page:Susanna Wesley (Clarke 1886).djvu/225

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SURVIVOBS AND DESCENDANTS.
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order to obtain food, and was reduced to the hourly expectation of having her very bed seized on account of being in arrears with her rent. Whether that calamity actually did come to pass or no is uncertain; but, at all events, her husband's death left her free to wind up her affairs at Gainsborough and come with an old servant to London. From that time John supported her, and she was a great deal at the Foundry, though she does not appear to have lived there altogether. The Epworth ghost did not altogether desert her, as is shown by the following letter to John:—

"DEAR BROTHER, "Feb. 16th, 1750.

"I want most sadly to see you and talk some hours with you as in times past. Some things are too hard for me; these I want you to solve. One doctrine of yours and of many more, viz. no happiness can be found in any or all things in this world, that as I have sixteen years of my own experience which lie flatly against it, I want to talk with you about it. Another thing is that wonderful thing called by us 'Jeffery,’ You won't laugh at me for being superstitious if I tell you how certainly that something calls on me against any extraordinary new affliction; but so little is known of the invisible world, that I, at least, am not able to judge whether it be a friendly or an evil spirit. I shall be glad to know from you where you live, where you may be found. If at the Foundry, assuredly on foot or by coach I shall visit my dear brother, and enjoy the very great blessing of some hours' converse.

"I am your really obliged friend and affectionate sister,

"Emilia Harper."