We are deeply grieved at thy delay in strength- ening us by thy addresses and consolations. If thy absence be prolonged, it will disappoint many of us. Hasten then to come, for we be- lieve that it is expedient. There are also many of our women here, who are desirous to see Mary [the mother] of Jesus, and wish day by day to run off from us to you, that they may meet with her, and touch those breasts of hers which nourished the Lord Jesus, and may inquire of her respecting some rather secret matters. But Salome also, [the daughter of Anna,] whom thou lovest, who stayed with her five months at Jerusalem, and some other well-known persons, relate that she is full of all graces and all virtues, after the manner of a virgin, fruitful in virtue and grace. And, as they report, she is cheerful in persecutions and afflictions, free from mur- muring in the midst of penury and want, grate- ful to those that injure her, and rejoices when exposed to troubles : she sympathizes with the wretched and the afflicted as sharing in their afflictions, and is not slow to come to their as-