CORRESPONDENCE WITH DR. MANTELL. 201 



ligious feeling with which you regard it As the affliction 

 is hitherto confined to the lower extremities, it may be con- 

 sistent with continued life, and even usefulness, for many 

 instances occur of afflictions of this class remaining in abey- 

 ance for many years, although they are certainly of anxious 

 and doubtful presage. I know not what have been your 

 table habits; but permit me (I trust without offence or 

 indelicacy) to remark that, if like most English gentlemen, 

 as the habits of society were when I knew England, you 

 have been accustomed to perhaps a tumbler of porter 

 with your dinner, and two or three glasses of port or ma- 

 deira after it, you will, I have no doubt, find great advan- 

 tage by dropping them all,, and relying on water and 

 nutritious food, simple and sufficient, without redun- 

 dancy. Wonders have been effected in this country by 

 such changes, and I am myself a monument of their effi- 

 cacy. Eighteen years ago, through fatigues and excessive 

 labors, anxiety and grief, I was almost broken down in my 

 nervous system ; and, although not paralytic, I had severe 

 spasms and frequent numbness of limbs ; but now, by 

 God's blessing and a resolute perseverance in simple hab- 

 its of living, without alcoholic drinks, I am, when past 

 threescore, hale and active, and in body and mind able to 

 sustain incessant labor. You will pardon me if my remarks 

 are superfluous, for I am sure you will regard them as well- 

 intended. You speak of relaxation, most desirable, no 

 doubt. Can you not place some professional friend as a 

 locum tenens in your place, while you embark in the spring 

 for this country, and pass a few months or weeks, if you 

 can spare no more time with us, making our house your 

 home, and regulating your excursions as you may find it 

 convenient and agreeable ; and, if Reginald or your daugh- 

 ter should accompany you, so much the better. Will you 

 give me your thoughts on this hastily expressed suggestion, 



on which I have now not a moment to enlarge I 



am glad that the bust pleases you, and I am glad it ar- 



