"This little affair coming in upon others of so much more moment to
me--I can't tell exactly how many years ago--was forgotten utterly
until your inquiry about the 'buttons' brought it up. When I am
through with 'Queen Anne' I may look back on it and other
trifles....

"I do not think I have any news for you. Mary says the violet roots
were sent on Monday.--Your affectionate

"J.H. BURTON."

In the summer of 1879 Dr Burton went abroad for the last time, for the
purpose of tracing the course of Marlborough's campaigns. From his daily
letters home a few passages may be selected:--

"MONS, _18th June 1879_.

"MY DEAR WILL,--I think you may well write to Ratisbon after
receiving this.

"I leave the Low Country when I have completed my inquiries.

"What little remains belongs to the Danube district, which I shall
haunt for the remainder of my time. It got its name because the
Romans found it a _ratis-bona_, or good pier for crossing. It is by
the Germans called Regensberg, or the town of rain.--_N.B._ I went
through the old Scots College there when its inmates had been
driven out, and the only article I found left behind was a large
umbrella. After three days' cessation the thunder and torrents have
returned yesterday. I walked three hours in rain, which soused me,
and then I had as long of sunshine to dry me, and arrived in very
comfortable condition, but I had been starved and was afraid to
make up by a heavy supper; I had consequently, after a long sleep,
such an appetite, that though I had breakfast, I joined the _table
d'hote_ dinner at one o'clock.

"Yesterday and the day before I went over the marching grounds of
our army in 1709, especially the battle-field of Malplaquet. If you
look into any of the histories of the period, or lives of
Marlborough in the library, you will see all about it. They are
concentrated in the room which I latterly used, and are
concentrated opposite to the fireplace.

"I have had extreme interest in pursuing my inquiries, yet don't I
long to go about in some country where one can get a drink of pure
water by the roadside, such as you and I have enjoyed on occasion.
The country people only get it in deep draw-wells. They have plenty
of water for their agriculture--too much; it is like the Ancient
Mariner