1884 LETTERS TO FOSTER 365 



of the two thousand pigs going at express speed for the 

 waters of Tiberias. 



By the way, did you ever read that preposterous and 

 immoral story carefully ? It is one of the best attested 

 of the miracles. 



When I have retired from the chair (which I must 

 not scandalise) I shall write a lay sermon on the text. 

 It will be impressive. 



My wife sends her love, and says she has her eye on 

 you. She is all for retirement. Ever yours, 



I am very sorry to hear of poor Mangles' death, but 

 I suppose there was no other chance. T. H. H. 



In September he hails with delight some inter- 

 mission of the constant depression under which he 

 has been labouring, and writes : 



So long as I sit still and write or read I am all right, 

 otherwise not good for much, which is odd, considering 

 that I eat, drink, and sleep like a top. I suppose that 

 everybody starts with a certain capital of life-stuff, and 

 that expensive habits have reduced mine. 



And again : 



I have been very shaky for the last few weeks, but I 

 am picking up again, and hope to come up smiling for 

 the winter's punishment 



There was nothing to drink last night, so I had some 

 tea ! with my dinner smoked a pipe or two slept 

 better than usual, and woke without blue devils for the 

 first time for a week ! ! ! Query, is that the effect of tea 

 or baccy? I shall try them again. We are fearfully 

 and wonderfully made, especially in the stomach which 

 is altogether past finding out. 



Still, his humour would flash out in the midst of 



