1862.J g3 [Dunglison. 



make a little society of their own, — the better sort being not a little 

 reserved to strangers." He wrote thus from Tours, in France, which 

 he did not reach until near the end of November, and left imme- 

 diately for Bagneres, where he arrived after a journey of much 

 fatigue, particularly to Mrs. Bethune. Here he tarried for upwards 

 of two months, pleased with the climate generally, and with the 

 agreeable society he met with. 



His health was good during the early portion of his sojourn at 

 Bagneres; but, subsequently, damp, chilly weather deprived him of 

 his usual walks, whilst the rumors of war with England, and some 

 other troubles, disturbed him not a little. He afterwards suffered so 

 much from neuralgic headaches, which had previously annoyed him, 

 as well as from boils, and from threatenings of his more serious 

 malady, that he deemed it wise to consult an old practitioner of the 

 place, under whose treatment he improved. 



"I do not see," he says, "in what to blame myself for having 

 caused this attack. I have lived very moderately, and taken a good 

 deal of exercise, on foot and in the saddle. I had also been much 

 relieved of my anxiety by recent letters." 



His last letter to the writer was from Florence, and was dated 

 April 18th, only a short time before his decease. Its tone was 

 cheerful, and even sportive. He spoke of his boils as having become 

 "beautifully less," until they had disappeared altogether, for which 

 he felt rather sorry, as he thought "they might serve to draw oif 

 attention from his head ;" that he had not had any ill turn since his 

 previous letter, and had been very comfortable in most respects. 



The long land journey from Bagneres to Florence, beautiful and 

 picturesque as it is, was exceedingly trying, to Mrs. Bethune more 

 especially. The voyage by steamer she had to forego, in consequence 

 of the difficulty of getting on board. The journey occupied about a 

 month, and they did not reach their destination until the 15th of 

 March. Here he designed to rest for a couple of months, and then 

 proceed for the summer to the Baths of Lucca, which have the repu- 

 tation of being in the coolest quarter of Tuscany. Of the climate 

 and society of Florence he remarks : "As for the climate, what can 

 you say of any climate in April ? When the sun shines, it is deli- 

 cious; when it rains, or there is snow on the Apennines, it is trying 

 to the nerves. However, I have liked it on the whole. Madame 

 does not, although I hope the summer will make it more pleasing in 

 her eyes. Though the prices of things have increased, the charms 

 of Florence have not been diminished. The same treasures of art, 



