26 September–2 October 1870

A very fine morning after a frost. The sun intensely hot. Dear Leopold breakfasted with us out of doors. Sat out for a short while. To the kirk at twelve. It was not so stifling. Dr. Mac- leod gave us such a splendid sermon on the war, and without mentioning France, he said enough to make every one understand what was meant (when he pointed out how God would punish wickedness, and vanity, and sensuality ; and the chapters he read from Isaiah xxviii., and from Ezekiel, Amos, and one of the Psalms, were really quite wonderful for the way in which they seemed to describe France). It was all admirable and heart-stirring. Then the prayers were beau- tiful in which he spoke of the sick, the dying, the wounded, the battlefield, and my sons-in-law and daughters. We all came back deeply impressed.