His sufferings were great, yet he invariably bore them with unshaken fortitude.

There was one thing remarkable connected with his illness; notwithstanding its severity, it never confined him to his bed.

He was wont to sit in his little parlour, in his easy chair, dressed in a faded regimental coat, his dog at his feet, who would occasionally lift his head from the hearth-rug on which he lay, and look his master wistfully in the face.

And thus my father spent the greater part of his time, sometimes in prayer, sometimes in meditation, and sometimes in reading the Scriptures.

I frequently sat with him, though, as I entertained a great awe for my father, I used to feel rather ill at ease, when, as sometimes happened, I found myself alone with him.
"I wish to ask you a few questions," said he to me, one day, after my mother had left the room.
"I will answer anything you may please to ask me, my dear father." "What have you been about lately ?" "I have been occupied as usual, attending at the office at the appointed hours." "And what do you there ?" "Whatever I am ordered." "And nothing else ?" "Oh, yes! sometimes I read a book." "Connected with your profession ?" "Not always; I have been lately reading Armenian.