145 
is best for you to do; as you know all circum- 
stances better than ourselves : and we trust that kind 
over-ruling Providence that has so distinguishedly 
conducted and protected you so far on the journey 
of life, will continue your friend and guide. To 
God Almighty then we commend you in our daily 
prayers ; and we rely on your virtue and piety that 
you will not lose his favour and regard. 
Mr. Martineau thinks the spring, when the waters 
are set at liberty in the marshes of the Low Coun- 
tries, is more unfavourable to intermittents than 
the depth of winter; but I am more afraid of the 
severe cold for your constitution than the fogs and 
exhalations, which I think you may more easily 
avoid. Indeed, my dear James, I believe my own 
health and happiness depend in a very great mea- 
sure upon yours. 
There is no doubt but you will make the best use 
of your stay at Chelsea, and I trust that your publi- 
cations will bring you both honourand profit : whilst 
you are thus employed, I dare say you will not neg- 
lect the study of medicine, which, if not the entire 
foundation, I must look to as the superstructure 
of your fortune, and I forebode of your fame too. 
I have finished Milton. There is so strong a 
beam of good sense and profound judgement, that 
I was highly pleased with his prose works, and could 
read them again if I had leisure. 
Pray have you read Sonnerat’s account of the 
Medicine, and especially the Mythology, of the 
East Indians? Perhaps you have not, though you 
may the Natural History. I have got to the end of 
VOL. I. i$ 
