351 
an account directly. Mrs. Woodward thanks you 
for the holy chaplet*.” 
The exertions of the spring, or perhaps nothing 
more than might have happened without any such 
excitement, produced one of those inflammatory 
disorders to which Sir James had always been liable, 
* and which in some shape or degree appeared every 
spring during his life. For these attacks, the cli- 
mate and waters of Matlock always proved a speci- 
fic remedy. This happy effect, combining with the 
natural beauty of the place, realized a fairy-land, 
where health and pleasure took place of weakness 
and fear: the cure was so agreeable, that instead of 
reflecting with aversion upon these periods of debi- 
lity and alarm, he frequently recurred to such times, 
as parts of his life that were attended with the hap- 
plest sensations,—as a holiday from mental exer- 
tion, and during which his mind was refreshed, as 
well as his bodily strength renovated. Thither he 
went in the autumn of 1788. 
The following letters from his father are addressed 
to him while at this place. 
* In another letter, dated the 15th of November the same me- 
morable year, Mr. Woodward concludes with telling him: ‘ Imust 
leave the caves of Neptune and bowers of Flora for a while, to 
inform you I was at Mr. Coke’s magnificent féte at Holkham, on 
November the 5th. Descriptions of it you have seen in the news- 
papers, without doubt; it suffices therefore to tell you, that they 
were not at all exaggerated; the entertainment being magnifi- 
cence itself, and the splendid mansion having quite the air of an 
enchanted castle, when illuminated for the reception of the com- 
pany. Adieu, most truly and affectionately yours, 
Tuomas Woopwarb.” 
