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Mrs. Gibson
March 20, 1938

Be assured Mrs. Gibson, that had he been with you, nothing more could have been done to make him comfortable or to save him, than has been done here. Every body about us seemed astonished at the anxiety and care which we felt and took of him. We were told, that there was not a native father or mother in all Italy, who would have done or endured half so much for their child as we did, for 'tis said that the Italians are less affectionate as parents than the English or Americans. I know not how true or false it may be. Dr. Playfair watched over him as tho' he had been his own child, and was with him every moment which his duties would admit of. He processed and brought with him all the medicineas which he used - and after giving them, often waited to see their effect.

An old Italian nurse, hung over him night and day, and would hardly be persuaded to take any rest at all. She might have slept if she chose, for one or the other of us was always with him - which seemed to be a great comfort to him. [[strikethrough]] She is [[/strikethrough]] I was much alarmed about the effect which it might have on Elizabeth for she is in a situation of peculiar delicacy. She has bourne it all however with great fortitude, and nothing has or is likely to happen to her of a serious nature. She bids me tell you that if her prayers are heard and answered - sometime in September or October we shall again have the name of Jimmy in our little family. I could tell you a thousand things about our poor little boy, but as we are not likely to forget them before we see you, and as this letter would not contain a hundredth part, I shall say ???, satisfied with having told you all of importance. Elizabeth is extremely apprehensive about the effect which this sad event may have upon you and Mr. Gibson. But I tell her that you will bear it like a true Christian, as I know you to be, and as for her father I am sure that he can endure as much as I can. All who are born must die sooner or later - and heaven only knows how much of suffering our poor little Jimmy has escaped, by dying early. My reason and experience both tell me that after we have passed the innocent days of boyhood the remainder of ordinary life is hardly desirable. There is hardly a consideration which could induce me to live my past life over again, and I believe that there are few who could be prevailed on to accept the terms of living from youth again as they have lived. Indeed - I have met with