Part 15 (1/1)

writes Mrs Howitt, 'the iven to us, the ease of social existence, the poetry, the classic grace, the peculiar and deep pathos diffused around; above all, the stirring and affecting historic memories From the period of arrival in Ro tiht,” was, in our case, fulfilled'

The sied couple continued unbroken as Willia of Eucalyptus in the Caainst malaria, and had seeds of different varieties sent over from Australia, which he presented to the Trappist monks of the Tre Fontani He helped to establish a society for the prevention of cruelty to aniardeners and custodians of the Pincio, to whoave expert advice on the subject of the creatures under their charge The summer months were always spent in the Tyrol, where the Howitts had permanent quarters in an old mansion near Bruneck, called Mayr-ae in his favourite occupation of gardening He dug indefatigably in a field allotlish spade, a unique instrurowth of the New Zealand spinach, the widespread rhubarb, the exuberant to spikes of Indian corn Thanks to the four great doctors before mentioned, he remained hale and hearty up to Decehty-seventh birthday A feeeks later he was attacked by bronchitis, which, owing to an unsuspected weakness of the heart, he was unable to throw off He died in his house on the Via Sistina, close to his favourite Pincio, on March 3, 1879

Mrs Howitt now finally gave up the idea of returning to end her days in England Her husband and companion of more than fifty years was buried in the Protestant Cemetery at Home, and when her tirant of a small pension added to the comfort of her last years, and was a source of ratification, for, as she tells her daughter Anna, 'It was so readily given, so kindly, so graciously, for my literary merits, by Lord Beaconsfield, without the solicitation or interference of any friend or isher' In May, 1880, she writes to a friend frorown up in a wonderful way by itself, or as if invisible hands had been arranging it; that we should have a little hoen Land Tirol_

This really is a very greatthat the Tyrol is so beautiful, the climate so beneficial to health, and the people, taken as a whole, so very honest and devout Our little nest of love, which we shall call ”Marienruhe,” will be perched on a hill with beautiful views, surrounded by a sarden' On Septearet, slept, for the first time, in their romantically-situated new horeater portion of the last seven years of Mary Howitt's life was spent in peace and content her 'Reminiscences' for _Good Words_, which were afterwards incorporated in her _Autobiography_ Age had no power to blunt her interest in the events of the day, political or literary, and at eighty-seven we find her reading with keen enjoyment Froude's _Oceana_ and Besant's _All Sorts and Conditions of Men_, books that dealt with questions which she and her husband had had at heart for the best part of a lifeti zeal Of the first she writes to a friend: 'Wedesire that our colonies should, like good, faithful, well-trained children, be staunch in love and service to old Mother England How deeply we feel on this subject I cannot tell you; and I hope and trust that you join strongly in this truly English sentih Smith: 'I am more interested than I can tell you in _All Sorts and Conditions of Men_ It affects lorious tree whichnorance and incapacity, attempt to plant in soil not properly prepared, and far too early in the season I cannot tell you how it has recalled the hopes and drea Providence of God, was so disastrous to us It is a beautiful essay on the dignity of labour'

The last few years of Mary Howitt's life were saddened by the deaths of her beloved sister, Anna, and her elder daughter, Mrs Watts, but such blows are softened for aged persons by the consciousness that their own race is nearly run Mary had, reat spiritual consolation in her conversion, at the age of eighty-three, to the doctrines of Roainst the likelihood of her 'going over,' in spite of her declaration, openly expressed as late as 1871, that she firmly believed in the anti-Christianity of the Papacy, and that she and her husband atching with interest the progress of events which, they trusted, would bring about its downfall, Mrs Hoas baptized into the Roman Church in May, 1882 Her new faith was a source of intense happiness to the naturally religious woe in any sectarian fold since her renunciation of her childish creed In 1888, the year of the Papal Jubilee, though her strength was already failing, she ell enough to join the deputation of English pilgrims, who, on January 10, were presented to the Pope by the Duke of Norfolk In describing the scene, the last public ceremony in which she took part, she writes: 'A serene happiness, al as I found myself on my knees before the Vicar of Christ

My as to kiss his foot, but it ithdrawn, and his hand given toIn the e and my late conversion His hands were laid ononthus achieved her heart's desire, it seeed convert to earth was broken A few days later she was attacked by bronchitis, and, after a short illness, passed away in her sleep on January 30, 1888, having nearly cohty-ninth year To the last, we are told, Mary Howitt's syence as keen as in the full vigour of life, while her rare physical strength and pliant temper preserved her in unabated enjoyh many of her books were out of print at the time of her death, it was said that if every copy had been destroyed, most of her ballads and minor poems could have been collected from the memories of her admirers, who had them--very literally--by heart

Williah not leaders, were brave soldiers in the army of workers for humanity, and if now they seem likely to share the common lot of the rank and file--oblivion--itthose favoured of the Gods who are croith gratitude, love, and admiration by their contelect of posterity brings no s triu-place