Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, November 27, 1765

Wednesday morng. [November 27, 1765] 8

Oh! my dear Friend! I never was more surpriz’d than on reading your Note. 9 I grieve for you, for Mrs. Strahan, for Mr. Johnston, for the little ones, and your whole Family. 1 The Loss is indeed a great one! She was every thing that one could wish, in every Relation. I do not offer you the common Topics of Consolation. I know by Experience how little they avail; that the natural Affections must have their Course; and that the best Remedy of Grief is Time. Mrs. Stevenson joins her Tears with mine. God comfort you all. Yours most affectionately

B Franklin