412 APPENDIX B 



Another circumstance which I think ought to be more 

 regarded than it is, and about which the more delicate part 

 of your sex is uncommonly negligent, is their not regarding 

 either seasons or weather, or their health. They keep warm 

 within doors, and dress for convenience and ease as they 

 ought, but when they go abroad they are no longer at their 

 own command. If those who preside over the fashion dress 

 in summer as they ought to do in winter, or the reverse, 

 unhappily the least able must follow, unless they have resolu- 

 tion enough to act sensibly in spite of custom. But I do not 

 charge all, and I must leave it to thy prudence both to deter- 

 mine wherein care is necessary, and to act in consequence of it. 



I will just conclude a letter, which I am afraid will be 

 excessively tedious, by taking notice that of all the passions 

 which we can possibly entertain hope is the most agreeable, 

 and has the best effects upon the constitution. I confess it 

 is not always in our power to command ourselves in this 

 respect ; even those who are placed, like thyself, in the most 

 easy situation in life, with the kindest of parents, willing and 

 able to be beforehand with every wish ; with qualifications 

 both of person and mind that will command every one's 

 respect, and secure thee the esteem of people of sense : I say 

 with all these qualifications it is not always in our power to 

 preserve a constant, happy, easy serenity. It is not granted 

 to human kind : the best, the greatest, the wisest feel a series 

 of vicissitudes. Yet reflect what infinite numbers of mankind 

 have more reason for solicitude, and how few have less, 

 whenever any anxious thought appears, and I do not doubt 

 but it will contribute to banish it. 



Accept, with that favourable regard with which thou art 

 always pleased to treat my admonitions, these plain, un-, 

 dressed remarks. They are the product of strong desires to 

 give thee some mark of a grateful disposition, and to contribute 

 all in my power to the health and happiness of so deserving 

 a person. I am thy respectful Frd., J. F. 



[This letter is among the David Barclay MSS. It was ad- 

 dressed to Martha Hudson, daughter of John Hudson of Bush 

 Hill, Enfield. Fothergill was at this time in the earlier years of 

 his practice, and is said to have had a special regard for his 

 patient. She married, however, his intimate friend David Barclay 

 in 1749, as is narrated in Chapter XXI.] 



