68 The Pytchley Hunt, Past and Present, [chap. h. 



Letter 4. 



'•'Rev. Sir, — Intense anxiety caused by receiving no 

 reply to a letter I addressed to you on Friday last, 

 makes me fear that you must be unwell, perhaps 

 seriously unwell. This notion causes me infinite mental 

 ano-uish, considerins^ as I do, that illness alone could 

 have prevented you answering my former letter. Let 

 me entreat you then, if you are suffering from some 

 attack of illness, to avail yourself immediately of the 

 professional assistance of the most skilful medical 

 practitioner in the neighbourhood, so that you maybe 

 sufficiently recovered to attend at the Sessions, or pur- 

 chase of some respectable druggist an abundance of 

 Parr^s Life Pills, or Morrison^s, or those of some other 

 eminent physician, and keep them in a box of magnesia, 

 and take when required. Do not regard, either, the 

 vulgar prejudice entertained by the ignorant against 

 arsenic and prussic acid. They are as harmless in their 

 effects as castor oil. I have known numerous instances 

 of parties who have taken these invaluable remedies, and 

 never required medicine again for the rest of their lives. 

 Then take the advice of a friend, not merely a pro- 

 fessional friend, taking a deep interest in your welfare. 

 Procure an ounce of arsenic and an ounce of magnesia, 

 dissolve each in a pint of hot water, warm tea or 

 sherry, and drink while hot. Be careful to leave none ; 

 but after having swallowed the whole, take a lump of 

 su^ar to dispel the nauseous taste, and then placing your 

 feet in hot water (as hot as you can endure it), and 

 wrapping your head in a blanket, go to bed. Strictly 

 follow this advice, and I have but one opinion as to the 

 result. I have just seen my professional adviser, who 



