esent moment have I felt qualified, either
mentally or bodily, to address myself to the labour of literary
composition. Indeed, what with trying this vaunted cure or that--now a
gargle, now a foot bath in water heated well nigh to boiling, now a hot
lemonade, and again a bolus, a lotion or a liniment--I have had no time
for writing, even if so inclined.

I am struck by the interesting fact that when one is ill of a cold
practically every one with whom one comes in contact has a favourite
suggestion for relieving one of one's symptoms. Scarce a member of the
faculty these two days but has prescribed this or that thing, each in
turn extolling the virtues of her own remedy and at the same time
vigorously decrying the merits of all others whatsoever. To avoid
showing favouritism and to guard against giving offence in any quarter,
for such is my nature, I have faithfully endeavoured to accept the
advice and obey the injunction of each and every well wisher, with one
exception. I shall refer to that exception in another moment.

To-night I am greatly improved, although weakened. In fact, I should
almost entirely be my former self were it not for a blistered condition
of the throat, a pronounced tenderness of the feet, and an inflamed area
of the cutaneous covering of the bosom--the first due, I think, to
swallowing an overhot lemonade, the second to the constancy with which I
resorted to foot bathing, while the third indubitably may be ascribed to
the after effects of an oil of great potency and pronounced odour which
Miss Waddleton with her own hands bestowed upon me and with which I
anointed that particular portion of my anatomy at half-hourly intervals.

To-night these quarters are quite oppressively redolent of the
commingled scents of drugs, unguents and ointments. But in view of the
sharpness of the evening I shall for the time forbear to air my
chambers. Nor, as I do now most solemnly pledge myself, shall I again
venture forth unless suitably fortified and safeguarded against the
uncertainties of our northern climate, until the springtime is well
advanced and a reasonable continuation of balmy conditions is assured.

The exception to which I referred in a preceding paragraph was none
other than Miss Hamm, the newest member of our faculty. Actuated, I
hope, by kindly motives, she called this afternoon, finding me in
dressing gown and slippers, prone upon the couch in my study, at my side
a table laden with bottles an