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LETTER CCVII.

To Mr.

THRA L E.

DEAR SIR,

Lichfield, June 23, 1779.

To fhew you how well I think of

your

health, I have fent you an hundred pounds to keep for me. It will come within one day of quarter day, and that day you must give me. I came by it in a very uncommon manner, and would not confound it with the rest.

My wicked miftrefs talks as if she thought it poffible for me to be indifferent or negligent about your health or hers. If I could have done any good, I had not delayed an hour to come to you, and I will come very foon to try if my advice can be of any use, or my company of any entertainment.

What can be done you muft do for yourfelf; do not let any uneafy thought fettle your mind. Cheerfulness and exercise are your great remedies. Nothing is for the pre

in

Vivite læti is one of
I believe it will be

fent worth your anxiety. the great rules of health. good to ride often, but never to weariness, for weariness is itself a temporary refolution of the nerves, and is therefore to be avoided. Labour is exercife continued to fatigue-exercife is labour used only while it produces pleasure.

Above all, keep your mind quiet, do not think with earneftnefs even of your health, but think on fuch things as may please without too much agitation; among which I hope is, dear Sir,

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June 24, 1779.

DEAR MADAM,

TH

HOUGH I wrote yefterday to Mr. Thrale, I think I must write this day to you; and I hope this will be the last letter, for I am coming up as faft as I can; but to go. down coft me seven guineas, and I am loth to come back at the fame charge.

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You really do not use me well in thinking that I am in lefs pain on this occafion than I ought to be. There is nobody left for me to care about but you and my mafter, and I have now for many years known the value of his friendship, and the importance of his life, too well not to have him very near my heart. I did not at first understand his danger, and when I knew it, I was told likewise that it was over-and over I hope it is for ever, I have known a man feized in the fame manner, who, though very irregular and intemperate, was never seized again. Do what you can, however, to keep my master cheerful, and flightly bufy, till his health is confirmed; and if we can be sure of that, let Mr. Perkins go to Ireland and come back as opportunity offers, or neceffity requires, and keep yourself airy, and be a funny little thing.

I am, &c.

LETTER CCIX.

To Mr. THRA L E.

DEAR SIR,

TH

July 15, 1779.

HOUGH I wrote yesterday to my mistress, I cannot forbear writing immediately to you, my fincere congratulation upon your recovery from fo much disorder, and your escape from so much danger. I fhould have had a very heavy part in the misfortune of lofing you, for it is not likely that I should ever find fuch another friend, and proportionate at least to my fear must be my pleasure.

As I know not that you brought this difease upon yourself by any irregularity, I have no advice to give you. I can only wish, and I wish it fincerely, that you may live long and happily, and long count among those that love you beft, dear Sir,

Your, &c.

I

LETTER CCX.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAR MADAM,

Monday, Oct. 4, 1779.

HAD intended to fend you fuch a card as I have inclosed, when I was alarmed by hearing that my servant had told in the house,

for fervants never tell their masters, his opi nion-that for the two laft days Mr. Thrale was visibly worse. His eyes are keen, and his attention upon fuch occafions vigorous enough.

I therefore earnestly wish, that before you fet out, even though you should lose a day, you would go together to Heberden, and fee what advice he will give you. In this doubtful pendulous ftate of the diftemper, advice may do much; and phyficians, be their power lefs or more, are the only refuge that we have in sickness. I wish you would do yet more, and propofe to Heberden a confultation with fome other of the doctors; and if Lawrence is at present fit for business, I wish

he

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