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Sydney July 6th 1824 
My Dear Cousin
It is so long since I have had the pleasure of receiving letter from you that I do not knew whether to say you have forgotten me or not, however I will be like the merciful Judge and not condemn you but attribute it not to want of affection towards me but merely because you do not think it any consequence to write to a "wee bit body" like Cousin Eliza, now is not this the case? but now I will so far condesend no to make an apology to you, for my long silence and I hope when my dear Cousin understands why it had been so long he will pardon it, of course you will have heard all the particulars of our late melancholy and severe loss, and I am sure my Cousin will not be surprized at my not writing him when I assure him that ever since that fatal event, my heart has been too sad almost to write to any one, particularly one I am connected with for I am aware that when writing to a Relation I must nesesarily mention what I would most willingly avoid for whenever it is mentioned it seems as though my wounds bleed afresh, not that it is ever out of my thought no, night and day and every hour it dwells upon my mind, I am sure my Friend will enter into all my feelings on such a Subject, it is one that my immagination never led me to suppose would fall to my lot to record, oh little did I think when I gave my Sister the last Embrace when I was leaving Sydney that it would be the last time in this world that I should hold so beloved and affectionate a relative to my heart, and that her days where numbered to so short a span, that that lovely form was so soon to mingle with her kindred dust, so soon be numbered with the dead: so soon to lay down her head in the Grave, she drooped like a beautious Flower, that for a short time spread a fragrance around, and before the Evening Sun goes down, droops whithers, and dies, but she died in the Faith of her Redeemer never once did she repine, she used to say "do not weep but pray for me the Lords will be done", she might have exclaimed, "oh Death where is thy sting" she bore all her sufferings like an Angel for all that was excellent in Woman was comprised in that form, My beloved Brother too, his youthful head was soon laid where the "Wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest" he was only just entering into the world ignorant of its wickedness unacquainted with vice, and so soon to be cut off, oh my dear Cousin these where heavy afflictions, but shall such frail mortals as we are murmur or repine at the Almightys will, it was him that did the deed, and shall we dare to ask his reason, he has wise reasons for all his actions. - I attended my dear Brothers death bed, and never never may I again endure such another trial it was almost too much for my poor heart, to see him I loved so tirelesly, laying in an agony of pain, and not a word of Complaint escape his lips, he bore all his sufferings with the greatest patience and appeared to be perfectly resigned, but when he resigned his breath he appeared to have fallen into a sweet sleep so gentle and without a groan did he leave this world of woe, and then so soon to follow the Death of my departed Sisters Infant, it seemed as though it had only been born to be regretted, so perfect a little Angel it was, but oh was only a blossom. bloomed to fall so soon, its innocent spirit fled this earth and joined its Sainted Mother in realms of perfect bliss. I must not dwell on these Melancholy Subjects any longer for my heart is full. - I am now up in Sydney spending two or three months with my Mother who I am happy to say enjoys very Good health, I came up for the purpose of seeing her, as well as getting an operation performed on Mary Hs Hands for when she was scalded, through neglect they became con-pacted