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If Joseph's disease be a rupture of those nerves of the spinal column which constitute the nerves of motion, and if so ruptured that nature's efforts cannot repair the breach, then it seems to me there is no hope that he will regain the use of his limbs, but it must gradually affect all the nerves of voluntary motion and render him nearly helpless. O' what a terrible affliction my poor brother! How will he bear it? The grace of God only can enable him. 'Affliction springs not from the dust' some wise purpose is to be answered!- Joseph when a child as I distinctly remember was a very mild, gentle, and loving, and rather remarkable for a sweet and confiding disposition. In the later years of his manhood I have sometimes sighed at the apparent change in him (I mean only a lack of the social, communicative spirit of his boyhood could perhaps by buffering the cold, calculating, selfish world steeling the mind, repressing its finer sensibilities, or as he expressed it, "toughening the feelings?" The stern force of circumstances modify the character much; they form the root of the great Architect to mould and form us to fit us for his service! Had Providence ordered favoring circumstances, J. would undoubtedly have been rich: his business talents, cast and turn of mind, ready and stiff decision, bent of purpose, strict integrity, quick seeing sagacity, all would lead to such results, but very possibly success would have been attended with scorching indifference on the mind and heart, mocking every green thing to become withered and sere. Dear Joseph, great was your danger, but your Heavenly Marker counts the spirit with which he had endeavored you, too precious to be abandoned to the cold indifference of worldly prosperity!