Chalmers at the Dean
Church, and returned all in great delight. He made a long journey that
year to hear the great organ at Birmingham, and came home by many
cathedrals, and yet "glad to get home."
In 1838 he notes, after a Highland journey, the "Synod was this year for
altering the canons," He notes a "white-stone visit to the Stranges,
Ross-end Castle, with the Bells. Alas! how many things and people
are gone."
In 1839 "Lady Dalhousie, my admired friend, came to stay with us. She
came January 19, and on the 22d died in the drawing-room in an instant!
It was an awful visitation, and never to be forgotten."
The following letter, written immediately after the calamity, is from
the Marquis of Dalhousie, from various circumstances an object of great
affection to the Dean, who consented to take charge of his daughters
when he went as Governor-General to India, bestowing on them the care
and anxious watchfulness which the young ladies returned with hearty
affection:--
The MARQUIS OF DALHOUSIE to DEAN RAMSAY.
Dalhousie Castle, 25th January 1839.
My dear Mr. Ramsay--I have sent John in, partly because I am
anxious that you should let me know how Mrs. Ramsay is
to-day, and partly because I cannot rest till another evening
without endeavouring to express to you some portion of the
very, very deep gratitude which I feel for all your
kindness--for the kindness of your every act and word, and--I
am just as confident--of your every thought towards us all in
this sad time.
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