Having pretty well got rid of a cough which lay deep & staid long, I am attacked now by my old enemy

in a way which threatens to lay me up. As soon as the catarrh threw me out of condition, the old complaint returned – a necessary consequence of relaxation. When it was proper to use tonics, young Edmondson

gave me zinc;

I gained strength, & was getting in tone again, – well enough indeed to take a mountain walk this day week, without any inconvenience. But on Saturday morning soon after breakfast, as I was standing at one of the bookshelves, I felt myself bleeding, without any previous pain or sensation in the part, & a considerable discharge of blood took place. Not being alarmed, & thinking there was no danger of its return, I went about three o clock to the lake side, – every thing having been prepared for dining that day beside the water. When I reached the water the haemorrhage again came on, & of course I made the best of my way back. Sunday I kept house. Monday attempted to walk & having got as far as the turnpike was forced to turn back. Tuesday I laid by again, – Wednesday (that is yesterday) ventured out in fear, & yet got nearly to the How & back without mishap. To day I went out without apprehension, & in far less than ten minutes returned bleeding profusely. The blood flows fast, but soon appears to stop. How this is to be prevented, or how remedied in this place, where there is no surgical aid that can be trusted to except in common cases – I know not; – nor do I suppose that you can tell me. But you will plainly see what a dilemma I am in. Nothing but air & exercise will put me in condition, – & after so many trials I shall not dare go beyond the garden, xxx while this tendency to bleeding continues. It is the more unlucky because this is precisely the time of the year when I should be in full exercise.

My Uncle tells me he is better in all respects than he could have any reason to expect at his age, except that every muscle in his body is refractory & he cannot move without difficulty & pain. This is plainly disease & not age, & if he were in Portugal I have no doubt that he would try the Caldas

& be x relieved by them. He gives but a poor account of M^rs Hill. Edward is enjoying himself, & seems t as well contented to play nine pins on the green with Cuthbert & the girls as if he were engaged at cricket. They are gone on the water this morning (Friday) to see the races.

– I expect Henry Taylor to dinner – with Tom. I know not whether it has been told you that Tom is seeking employ in the preventive service,

& thro Henry Taylor has obtained a promise of it. To me the advantage appears questionable, – only that he cannot well be worse off than he is, – & that wherever he may be stationed he may place the boys

at a day school, – & very probably at a free one. – He has another son – about three weeks old.

I am in the receit of proof sheets,

– which is to me one of the greatest enjoyments in life