I am requested to ask your opinion whether John Calvert, who has some thoughts of entering into your profession, might not study it as advantageously in London, as at Edinburgh, meaning to xx take an Oxford degree.

Family arrangements make it desirable that he should be able to do this, for as his sister Mary

is about to marry & settle in town, the family speculate upon removing thither with the double object of placing the youngest boy

at Westminster, & having a home for John, while he thus qualifies himself for the preparatory service of the Undertakers. Oeconomy therefore being on the London side, – will you tell me what are the others reasons for preferring the one place or the other.

My cold & cough are at last I hope upon the departure. The attack has been unusually severe, & I have made up my mind to fly from it next year, if it be possible.