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To MRS. OAKLEY, TAVISTOCK PLACE.

MY DEAR MRS. OAKLEY,

Pinner, November 22, 1815.

A LETTER, just received from Mr. Laurence, informs me of an event so unexpected, and so melancholy, I have scarcely the power to offer the unavailing tribute of sympathy to Mr. Oakley, and yourself, on the loss of a beloved and ever to be lamented son: but, be assured, no one out of your own family more keenly feels it than myself; and in this feeling I may include our whole circle, by whom, as well as by all who knew him, he was so much esteemed.

I can only hope, in this season of trial, that the same Almighty power, whose dispensations must not be questioned, and who has thought fit to deprive you of so great a blessing, will support you under the heavy affliction; and that, on our return to town, we may find you in health; though time and religion can alone reconcile and restore your spirits.

We all unite in kind love and regards to yourself, Mr. Oakley, and family.

Believe me, my dear Mrs. Oakley,

Your very sincere, though much distressed Friend,

M. LAURENCE.

To BENJAMIN OAKLEY, ESQ. TAVISTOCK PLACE.

Southwark, November 22, 1815.

"Lycidas is dead! young Lycidas,

Dead before his prime, and hath not left his peer;

He must not float upon his watery bier

Unwept, or welter to the parching wind

Without the meed of some melodious tear."

O My dear Brother! what is this I see in

the Morning Chronicle before me! for I have had no

I

other intimation of the melancholy tidings it conveys; and, as I fear to doubt its truth, I am compelled to believe it! But what consolation can I administer to you and your dear family, under the pressure of this heavy affliction? My heart bleeds for you all. To say much upon such a source of real grief, would be only insulting your feelings at this time; for all the troubles I have experienced are nothing in comparison of this. I say no more. I commend you to the Divine assistance for support under this and every other trial.

Your distressed Brother,

WILLIAM OAKLEY.

To BENJAMIN OAKLEY, Esq. TAVISTOCK PLACE.

MY DEAR SIR,

Southampton Place, November 22, 1815.

I SINCERELY Condole with you on this most afflicting and melancholy event. It must be to you, Mrs. Oakley, and your family, a subject of the greatest sorrow but disappointment is the lot of man, and to the will of God it is our duty to submit.

Do not forget that you are still blessed with an amiable, promising, and numerous family, who will be to you and Mrs. Oakley so many sources of future happiness.

My family unite with me in feeling towards yours all those sentiments which are suited to this awful occasion.

I remain, my very dear Sir,

Yours most truly,

JOHN LEWIS.

To JOHN LEWIS, Esq. SOUTHAMPTON PLACE.

MY DEAR SIR,

November 22, 1815.

How grateful is the sympathy of honest friendship! Mine is indeed a sorrow not to be expressed: “but disappointment is the lot of man, and to the will of God it is our duty to submit." I do not forget that I have still many blessings around me; and fondly hope "there are still many sources of future happiness" left me: yet "I cannot but remember such things were, that were most dear to me." May you, my dear sir, glide on through the stream of domestic comfort; and may your tranquillity never be interrupted by an awful visitation like mine!

My kind regards to dear Mrs. Lewis, and your family.

Ever yours,

B. O.

To BENJAMIN OAKLEY, ESQ. TAVISTOCK PLACE.

MY DEAR SIR,

Bedford Place, November 22, 1815.

THERE remains one duty for me to perform, in my relation to poor Ben, which I should have executed when I saw you to-day, had you not been in the midst of your family, and which I communicate thus because it admits not of further delay. It is to suggest and urge you to assent to the propriety of allowing the nature of his disease to be ascertained, as far as examination will go; which, as it is a satisfaction to us now, will be one to you hereafter also. To you, of course, I need not state, that in such an inquiry there

can be nothing formidable after death, though I shall myself decline being present at it; but it would be performed without disfigurement, and with all possible delicacy. If you accede to this, pray let me know to-night, since there is no time to be lost beyond to-morrow morning; and I will, in that case, take care of the necessary directions.

Yours faithfully,

R. POWELL.

TO BENJAMIN OAKLEY, ESQ. TAVISTOCK PLACE.

MY DEAR SIR,

Royal Exchange, November 23, 1815.

I AM too well assured, from my own feelings, of the utter inadequacy of reason to resist successfully the weight of the heaviest calamity that could have befallen us. The esteem I entertain for yourself and family may, I trust, excuse me when I entreat you to bow to this heavy dispensation of Providence with fortitude and resignation. God's will be done!

I am, my dear Sir,

Most faithfully yours,

GEORGE BLYTH.

TO BENJAMIN OAKLEY, Esq. TAVISTOCK PLACE.

Old Broad Street, November 23, 1815.

Nor wishing to break in upon the privacy of your sorrows, for a loss so sudden and irreparable; allow me, my dear friend, to assure you of my sincere condolence and sympathy. A father myself, of a young man nearly the same age, I feel for you by anticipating

the possibility of a similar calamity.

Looking to the comfort I hope to enjoy from the life of my own son, I can estimate your distress for the loss of yours. I trust that the Almighty, who has thought fit thus to afflict, will endue you and Mrs. Oakley, and all your surviving treasures, with fortitude to bear the affliction, and to receive consolation.

F. WAKEFIELD.

TO DOCTOR POWELL, BEDFORD PLACE.

MY DEAR SIR,

Tavistock Place, November 24, 1815.

THE agony of affliction your letter found me in, on Thursday night, incapacitated me for making reply. My friend, Mr. Britton, was here when I received it, and, at my desire, communicated to you my sentiments upon the subject of it. I beg to assure you, my dear sir, that I feel the most perfect satisfaction in knowing that every thing was effected as far as human skill, attention, and kindness could reach; and further to assure you, that I think it impossible I can ever forget to feel, that I owe you more gratitude than words have power to express.

I take the opportunity, on behalf of Mrs. Oakley, to request you will convey to Mrs. Powell her affectionate thanks for the kind solicitude and condolence so promptly offered in the moment of excessive grief.

Affectionately yours always,

B. O.

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