JUNE 245 



'His affliction under this severe trial was greatly lessened 

 through the affectionate tenderness and care of Elizabeth his well 

 beloved wife, the generous kindeness which was shown him by his 

 dear relations [here follows a long list of the names of relations and 

 friends] to each of whom he esteems himself most highly indebted 

 and begs them to accept his very sincere acknowledgments.' 

 Aug. 7, 1781. 



The largeness of the fee paid, which at the present value of 

 money would represent a considerable sum, shows how serious 

 was the operation which Mr. Francis underwent. That it could 

 be carried out at all without the aid of anaesthetics seems little 

 short of a marvel ; but he was not wrong when he said that his 

 recovery was complete, as I find that he did not die till the year 

 1794. Doubtless the list of friends, to whom he returns thanks, 

 between them contributed the money for the surgeon's fee. Under 

 his name in the register-book one of his successors has written, 

 ' He was a pious, good and learned man.' Few could wish for a 

 better epitaph, even although it should chance to be seen by living 

 eyes but once or twice in a century. 



This evening I received a pleasing note from the manager of a 

 very large estate in our neighbourhood. It was to the effect that a 

 terrier dog with my name on the collar had been found in company 

 with another terrier dog, owner unknown, doing its wicked best 

 to tear the throat out of a ewe in the park. The wretched little 

 animal, which up to the present had never killed anything larger 

 than a harmless hen or a domesticated duck, has been lost for two 

 days now I know why. To-morrow he goes to town in charge 

 of a friend, who, greatly daring, has offered to take him. If Dan 

 tries to kill more sheep it shall be in St. James's and not in Flixton 

 Park. 



June 22. On returning from London to-day I find that the 

 clover-hay is still lying out on All Hallows field, No. 37. Just as 

 preparations were being made to cart this morning down came the 

 usual thunder-shower, so all the men had to go hoeing in Baker's 



