What would have become of me last Wednesday night without the assistance of the Angels and the Saints and the prayers on earth, I cannot imagine, for we had one of the roughest voyages we ever experienced. What a wonderful thing prayer is! I believe it can effect anything. Instead of being the only malade on board which is my usual destiny, I was one of the few who escaped. We were tossed about very much, and the sea dashed over the boat in such style that I was soon completely wet through, but that was nothing, nor did I mind being ill directly we landed. Dear Old England looked very peaceful and beautiful, like a large garden, in the early morning, and we were glad to arrive at ourp2comfortable little nest. The Angels have taken great care of it in our absence and of the servants too, so that there are no signs of my purgatory beginning for the present. On our return I found one of dear Fr Christie's kind little notes to tell me that he would be in retreat, so that I shall not be able to see him and give your little book for a week probably. It is tantalizing to be unable to read it, which I endeavoured to do with the aid of a dictionary, but it is hopeless; I can only make out something about putting the cross on the top. I asked St. Francis Xavier, as he had the gift of tongues, to help me, but I suppose he thinks it better that my desire should be mortified. We had a delightful week in Brussels. M. and Mme Flanneau were so very kind. Still it was not the same enjoyment as that of Bruges, because we were inp3the world again. I love Bruges because the people are so devout; it is very edifying to see them in the churches, it made me often wish that I could pray as they do. Prayer seems to be the chief business of life in Bruges, and that is just what it should be, since we were created for that purpose. Here in London it is not so easy, because we do not seem to be always in the Presence of Our Lord, the distractions are so many and so great, and the churches so far apart. The half mile to the Oratory[1] seems very long before breakfast, and I am obliged to come down again to only two communions a week. I always miss it so much at first coming home. I had almost forgotten to tell you of our expedition to Anderlecht. It was two days before the festival of St. Guido,[2] and the church was being prepared for the occasion. We werep4shown a relic of him, which I kissed for you and asked him to pray for your intention. I shall put up some candles for it in the Lady Chapel in the Oratory on Thursday. Who are your other patron Saints? and how soon are you coming to pay us a visit? I hope soon to have a letter from you telling me to have your room prepared. I am sure the change would do you a great deal of good, and you could be as quiet here in our house as you could possibly wish to be, you shall do just as you like when you come.

We have had a charming holiday, and are now very busy again, there are always so many little things to be attended to after a 6 weeks absence from home, and when these are concluded I have always my church embroidery and the translation, and as they are both Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam[3] it does not much signify which takes up my time. It is a good thing to be well occupied, as it keeps one out of mischief.

Enfant de Marie[4]