7. 12.) TO R. W. CHURCH. T37 
Well, hard upon six weeks ago, I managed to break 
the top of my right shoulder-blade. It was done 
by a bit of carelessness, not to say foolhardiness, by 
continuing to do at seventy-two what I have done in 
former years, relying too much on my quickness and 
sureness of foot in stepping off a horse-car (anglice, 
tram) when in motion. In the darkness I supposed 
it had slowed up, which in fact it had not, and so a bad 
fall. Well, the bone is thought to be well mended, 
and I use the arm for certain purposes almost as well 
as ever, but cannot yet get my clothes on and off 
without assistance. My wife, as you will believe, has 
been a capital nurse, and she credits me with a most 
unexpected amount of patience. 
But if you don’t come soon I shall despair of you. 
And Gladstone, I know, will be tempting you; but I 
doubt if you will budge, except he would place you in 
more sunny quarters than the Deanery,—a _ place 
which corporeally I know is not at all good for you, 
nor for Mrs. Church. 
I read that you have preached a sermon in commem- 
oration of Dr. Pusey, at Oxford, which I hope you 
will print, and I count on receiving a copy. I prize 
very much a copy of a discourse by Dr. Pusey, given 
me through Acland when we were there a year and a 
quarter ago, addressed to ine in a very flattering way. 
By the telegraph we learn you are having a very 
severe snowstorm, attended with suffering. We are 
now having our sixth of this winter; but we do not 
mind it. 
I rejoice with you at Gladstone’s success. He and 
Dufferin have earned laurels. Let us hope he will 
hold out several years yet, and continue at the helm. 
But how cordially he is hated! 
