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Mr. Smith to his Son, Matlock Bath. 
Dear Son, Norwich, August 12, 1788. 
I rejoice to hear that you bore travelling so well, 
and had begun to bathe, and found yourself so well 
after it. To these assistances to your health it is to 
be hoped, relaxation from application, the charms 
and amusements of the place you are in, and the 
company of the most amiable and affectionate of 
mothers, will make you so happy as to contribute 
no small share for you to lay in a good store of 
cheerfulness and joy. Would to God it may make 
you robust and strong! It is what I have seen the 
Bristol and Matlock waters do to many people. 
You will get more good I doubt not at Matlock; 
but if you kad not gone thither, I think you would 
have been both pleased and benefited at Setch* in 
such a season as this, with plenty of fine fruit, fine 
fish, a nice dairy, and beautiful fields. Perhaps the 
spa affords a water which would be beneficial; at 
least I think it would, and would try it if I should 
want any assistance of the kind. 
It is said the benefit of the waters is most fre- 
quently found after people leave them; but I found 
benefit upon the spot, and every spot I trod a long 
time after. May it please Heaven you may both 
do so likewise! I hope you have or will take a 
walk towards Cromford, and turn to the right when 
you come at the stream; pursue it some way, it will 
afford you some very picturesque views. If you 
* A farm of Mr. Smith’s, near Lynn in Norfolk. 
