1876.] FAILING HEALTH. 335 



sweet corn are now the order of the day : apples and grapes* 

 ripening/' 



In July, Philip had written to Dr. Dawson, thanking the 

 governors of the College for some extra accommodation ; but 

 pointing out the great injury that had been done to the collec- 

 tion, by damp. He had had no idea that there would be any 

 danger of it, in that dry climate ; but the building was " on a 

 rock foundation, immediately under a reservoir, with a slate 

 floor having no air passage under." The hot damp had 

 weakened his feeble health, and he was removing his work to 

 an unsavoury room upstairs, f 



After mentioning that a very valuable share of his labour 

 had been thrown away, he adds, " I am obliged to think 

 most of this last consideration. I find my health so rapidly 

 failing (principally, I presume, from overwork), that I doubt 

 how much longer I shall be able to give my services to the 

 College." 



He wrote to me : " I was exceedingly exhausted at the 

 end of school ; but already feel refreshed, and not so bad as 

 last year, when I had the week's alcoholic poisoning with the 

 bottled Chitons. ... I have been so rapidly tumbling down 

 hill, ever since my right hand, Andrew, left me, that I just feel 

 as though any odd thing, like a nervous fever, etc., might seize 

 me and walk me off at short notice. Therefore, I ought to 

 have things settled a little. At the same time, with care (and 

 I am exceedingly careful, though the wife, etc., don't give me 

 credit for it : I always stop at once — when I feel I can't go 

 on !) I dare say I may last indefinitely." 



* The gathering and sending away the grapes used, his wife says, to be 

 almost a religious service. They thought of him who was the True Vine. 

 " How I had to scheme to get any into his mouth : but at Beloeil, when 

 I took them with me, he eat them with a good grace. " 



f In reply to my inquiries, Dr. Dawson informs me that "The summer 

 had been unusually moist, and it became necessary to make changes 

 in the drains and roof, as well as to introduce hot-water pipes for more 

 effectually drying the air of the Museum. These improvements were made 

 as speedily as possible, and there has been no difficulty since. Much of 

 the trouble in the summer referred to arose from the Boston shells. The 

 land-snails more especially emitted a very unsavoury odour, which Dr. C. 

 found it very difficult to contend with." 



