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  My dearest Friend,

Yesterday morning I received a long & most kind & affectionate letter from our dear friend Horace Traubel. When I got to Bolton I took an opportunity of calling in at Johnston's, & asked if the American mail had brought anything. Johnston hadn't returned (came back today) but his "locum tenens" shewed me your postal of July 28th, & the parcel of photos &c (which I opened) & a   short good letter from Traubel.

I at once appropriated the tomb photo. for myself & have it here.

I like the tomb itself very much—Its massive simplicity & woodland surroundings are perfectly fit & appropriate.

But I cannot write the thoughts it arouses.—Too much love goes out to you,—you fill too precious & dear & warm a place in my heart for me to think of it with equanimity.

Of course I know; & rejoice in the knowledge that you will not enter it, but that   for you is only joyful "transfer & promotion." But alas! for us whom you will leave.

You said in a letter to Dr Bucke which he gave us, that the response from Bolton "cheered & nourished your very heart." It was an inexpressibly deep & sacred joy to me to know that. But it is impossible for you to know how the converse holds true, how life giving & sacredly dear & sweet your more than paternal loving, kindness & benefactions have been, & are, to me. They are my chiefest treasure, the supreme joy & blessing of my life.

 

May God bless you for all you have done for me, & for my friends. And how many myriads more will have cause to love & bless your name!

I hope that our little band of friends in Bolton, may indeed prove a "church"—united in brotherly love, & consecrated to the highest ends. May God help me, & help us all to realize that ideal more & more! And so may our love to you, our exemplar & dearest friend, increase & deepen as time goes on.

For a long time back now I have not been able to continue my old work in & for "the College."   But I hope to resume my old place, & to do all I can to cement it more firmly together, & to advance your cause, & continue (within our little sphere) your work.—

I haven't seen Johnston yet, but I partly expect him here tomorrow. I know he will be proud & pleased to receive the portraits &c that you sent him.—And thanks to you, from our hearts, from us all.

You have added a new & deeper value to our friendships. You have given us new friends (Traubel, Dr Bucke Warry &c)   who amaze us by the cordiality & affectionate warmth of their friendship & kindness, you have given to us new & brighter hopes for the future—(friends increasing & love deepening) & in your own love you have given us the supreme gift & blessing.

I feel very full tonight as I think of it all. For my lot is not without troubles just now, & it stirs me with deep thankfulness to think how divinely & wonderfully they are off set & recompensed. And thanks to you for it all, & to God through you.

 

I cannot write any more tonight. I think of you sitting in your room, perhaps alone, unwell, with sacred & solemn thoughts about the future & memories of the past, & with love in your heart, deep & tender as a mother's, towards all your friends. & I could kiss you if I were there, & had only courage to do it!

My best love to you anyway, & best wishes & prayers.

Yours filially J.W. Wallace  

Saturday aftn.

A "Rose Festival" procession just passed here. Got up by the children of the village (assisted by older people), & composed almost completely of children. All kinds of disguises,—the most amusing, merry, & pretty thing of the kind I have ever seen.—Very cleverly done, too.