1885 CONTINUED ILL-HEALTH 413 



A few weeks at Filey in August did him some 

 good at first ; and he writes cheerfully of his lodgings 

 in "a place with the worst- fitting doors and windows, 

 and the hardest chairs, sofas, and beds known to my 

 experience." 



He continues : 



I am decidedly picking up. The air here is wonder- 

 ful, and as we can set good cookery against hard lying (I 

 don't mean in the Munchausen line) the consequent 

 appetite becomes a mild source of gratification. Also, I 

 have not met with more than two people who knew me, 

 and that in my present state is a negative gratification 

 of the highest order. 



Later on he tried Bournemouth ; being no better, 

 he thought of an entirely new remedy. 



The only thing I am inclined to do is to write a book 

 on Miracles. I think it might do good and unload my 

 biliary system. 



In this state of indecision, so unnatural to him, he 

 writes to Sir M. Foster : 



I am anything but clear as to the course I had best 

 take myself. While undoubtedly much better in general 

 health, I am in a curious state of discouragement, and I 

 should like nothing better than to remain buried here 

 (Bournemouth) or anywhere else, out of the way of 

 trouble and responsibility. It distresses me to think 

 that I shall have to say something definite about the 

 Presidency at the meeting of Council in October. 



Finally on October 20, he writes : 



I think the lowest point of my curve of ups and 

 downs is gradually rising but I have by no means 



