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experience and promptitude gave a zest to her exertions ,. they imparted confidence to the objects of her friendly aid and attentions . Her domestic arrangements were exemplary and admirable . Vigilant , methodical , prudent , and calculating , she fulfilled all their claims with such cheerfulness and placidity , that her servants were instructed in the
discharge of their duties , and at the same time with such a mixture of forbearance and good-vyill , as ensured their respect and won their affections ; all of them who had left her being gratified with the privilege of coming occasionally to have a shake of the hand from their old kindhearted mistress . To the poor she was
ever most kind and condescending . The young orphan girl with her little stock of matches , and the tottering old widow with her basket of pins , tapes , and cottons , found her a constant and willing customer , with the general rule of paying double price for whatever she received from them . The fashionable and
convenient logic of withholding relief under the fear of impositions and of giving a premium to idleness , never entered into her calculations ; her maxim wasbetter that two unworthy objects should have assistance than that one real and helpless case should be pleaded in vain . And even the most abject and abandoned characters were considered by her as
entitled to pity rather than to detestation . In her person she was tall and comely , and when to this general appearance it is added , that her countenance was a complete index to the serenity of her disposition , nothing more was wanting to render her interesting and lovely in the eyes and estimation of her friends . In her dress she was
proverbially neat and engaging , not disdaining to appear attractive , but always economical and unostentatious , and never , in sickness or in health , in summer or winter , deviating from the rule of not emitting her bed-chamber in the morning till her appearance was suitable to the decorum of the parlour under any circumstances . The garden was always a source of much innocent and rational
delight , and during the latter two or three years , as her infirmities began to gain upon her strength , was her sole recreation and principal amusement . And well did she adorn and improve its charms . A tutelary angel ! giving the reality instead of the fiction of a mistaken but beautiful mythology . Her leading characteristics were equanimity and gentleness ; in no degree , however , alloyed with insipidity of character or
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apathy of disposition . A serenity which nothing could effectually discompose , a halcyon breast which no unruly passions or external violence could ruffle or suhdue , yet alive to the claims of the social duties in all their varied and nunacrous
relations . Affectation was totally unknown to her feelings , and it was uo unusual remark of her friends , that they never knew an expression or insinuation fall from her lips unfavourable to the character of any individual , or as indicating the slightest emotions of envy , detraction , or unkindness .
With such endowments and amiable qualities it might well be supposed that her mind would preserve its placidity and firmness during the trying scene of her dissolution ; and so it was , to the inexpressible gratification of her dearest connexions . During a fortnight ' s confinement to her couch , and perfectly aware that her complaint was fatal , her whole soul was tranquillity and peace . Every word and look evinced the grateful sense she entertained of the kind
sympathies of her frienas , her attachment to her 'family , and the conscious integrity of her disposition ; and the often-repeated and artless expressions , "I love you all , " " Farewell , " and "I am very happy , " can never be obliterated from their admiring recollections . In short , her mind was purity , her heart benevolence , and her religion " Peace on earth and good-will towards men . ' *
And now , perhaps , some well-meaning zealot may ask — What was her creed ? Invidious curiosity ! Needless investigation ! It may not , however , be irrelevant to say , that before her marriage she had been a regular attendant upon the religious services of the New Meeting , Birmingham , and afterwards on those of the Old . Can the belief in certain opinions and dogmas be essential to her admission to the favour of her
beneficent Maker and Friend ? The creed that can admit such monsters as Burke , Corder , and Thurtell , to the joys of heaven , and exclude such a character as is here faintly sketched , even though *> he had had no professed creed at all , must be an insult upon the Deity 3 aud a monstrous libel on his moral government of the world . Is this declaration erroneous ?
Then let the appeal be made to Christ himself , aud let his sublime description of the last judgment be the decisive criterion . " For modes of faith , let graceless zealots fight ; His can ' t be wrong , whose life is iu the right . "
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442 Obituary . —Mrs , Mary Luckcock .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1829, page 442, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2573/page/74/
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