in 1845, his wife's health was so poor that they left for britain in july but she died while at anchor off dungeness on december 22. left with a young son and daughter, he married rebecca morrison, the daughter of his fellow chinese missionary robert, while in england. he returned with her and mr hirschberg on the "hugh walker". this left britain on march 11, 1847, and reached hong kong on july 27, whereupon he resumed direction of its hospital.