
          each way, however, as the weather has been
 wet & uncomfortable ever since I have been
 home. I am within 2 or 3 minutes walk
 of our friend [Francis] Boott, who received me most
 warmly & affectionately, but I have only spent
 a single evening with him, tho' we are such
 close neighbours. The truth is that my partner's
 family are so loving & good to me, that I
 spend very much of my time at Blackheath.
 He has 7 children & 24 grandchildren! amongst
 whom I am, I believe, always a welcome guest.
 I have also been obliged to do more than I like
 of "dining-out" for my old friends-- a very
 large circle-- have not forgotten me, as I supposed,
 but have received me with very great
 warmth & cordiality, which I mention, as a
 matter for pleasurable interest to you. I go
 to my Counting House soon after 10 o'clk.
 & remain there until about 5 or 1/2 past 5 o'clk.
 I then dine at a Chop-house, unless engaged
 to a friend, & get home from 1/2 p. [past] 6 to 7 o'clk.
 After tea (I now take Cocoa) I read until
 about 10 o'clk. & then to bed. My eyes do better
 than I had ventured to hope, tho' I could not
 do much with them, after dark. My health,
 I thank GOD, is very good, except that I have
 had a cough ever since I returned home, &
        