as about your health; the
last I sent a great while ago, by one De la Mar. I can assure you
with great truth that none of your friends or acquaintance has a
more warm heart towards you than myself. I am going out of this
troublesome world, and you, among the rest of my friends, shall have
my last prayers and good wishes.

"... I came out to this place so reduced by a dropsy and an asthma,
that I could neither sleep, breathe, eat, nor move. I most earnestly
desired and begged of God that he would take me. Contrary to my
expectation, upon venturing to ride (which I had forborne for some
years), I recovered my strength to a pretty considerable degree,
slept, and had my stomach again.... What I did, I can assure you was
not for life, but ease; for I am at present in the case of a man
that was almost in harbour, and then blown back to sea--who has a
reasonable hope of going to a good place, and an absolute certainty
of leaving a very bad one. Not that I have any particular disgust at
the world; for I have as great comfort in my own family and from the
kindness of my friends as any man; but the world, in the main,
displeases me, and I have too true a presentiment of calamities that
are to befall my country. However, if I should have the happiness to
see you before I die, you will find that I enjoy the comforts of
life with my usual cheerfulness. I cannot imagine why you are
frightened from a journey to England: the reasons you assign are not
sufficient--the journey I am sure would do you good. In general, I
recommend riding, of which I have always had a good opinion, and can
now confirm it from my own experience.

"My family give you their love and service. The great loss I
sustained in one of them gave me my first shock, and the trouble I
have with the rest to bring them to a right temper to bear the loss
of a father who loves them, and whom they love, is really a most
sensible affliction to me. I am afraid, my dear friend, we shall
never see one another more in this world. I shall, to the last
moment, preserve my love and esteem for you, being well assured you
will never leave the paths of virtue and honour; for all that is in
this world is not worth the least deviation from the way. It will be
great pleasure to me to