ass, from lunch to dinner. Feebleness of mind and
head are the result.

Ever affectionately.

P.S.--The boys have multiplied themselves by fifty daily, and have
seemed to appear in hosts (especially in the hottest days) round all the
corners at Gad's Hill. I call them the prowlers, and each has a
distinguishing name attached, derived from his style of prowling.

[Sidenote: Mr. Arthur Smith.]

GAD'S HILL PLACE, HIGHAM BY ROCHESTER, KENT,
_Tuesday, Sept. 3rd, 1861._

MY DEAR ARTHUR,

I cannot tell you how sorry I am to receive your bad account of your
health, or how anxious I shall be to receive a better one as soon as you
can possibly give it.

If you go away, don't you think in the main you would be better here
than anywhere? You know how well you would be nursed, what care we
should take of you, and how perfectly quiet and at home you would be,
until you become strong enough to take to the Medway. Moreover, I think
you would be less anxious about the tour, here, than away from such
association. I would come to Worthing to fetch you, I needn't say, and
would take the most careful charge of you. I will write no more about
this, because I wish to avoid giving you more to read than can be
helped; but I do sincerely believe it would be at once your wisest and
least anxious course. As to a long journey into Wales, or any long
journey, it would never do. Nice is not to be thought of. Its dust, and
its sharp winds (I know it well), towards October are very bad indeed.

I send you the enclosed letters, firstly, because I have no circular to
answer them with, and, secondly, because I fear I might confuse your
arrangements by interfering with the correspondence. I shall hope to
have a word from you very soon. I am at work for the tour every day,
except my town Wednesdays.

Ever faithfully.

P.S.--Kindest regards from all.

[Sidenote: Mr. John Watkins.]

GAD'S HILL PLACE, HIGHAM BY ROCHESTER, KENT,
_Saturday Night, Sept. 28th, 1861._

DEAR MR. WATKINS,

In reply to your kind letter I must explain that I have not yet brought
down any of your large photographs of myself, and therefore cannot
report upon their effect here. I think the "cartes" are all liked.

A general howl of horror greeted th