LETTER LXVII.

June 10, 17-.

I

Remained in the dreadful condition defcribed in my laft letter, for feveral weeks. At the expiration of that time I was removed to town; when a confultation of the medical gentlemen was held twice a day. All their confultations, however, were of no service to me. Not one out of nine of the most eminent of the profeffion, who were called in upon the occafion, could even guess at my disorder. One termed it an adhesion. Another an imposthume. And two or three were fully perfuaded that I had no lungs left.

In this manner they perfecuted me till near Chriftmas. Till at laft, defpairing of being able to afford me any relief, and ashamed to take such fums without any apparent benefit, they all left me to my fate. My watchful and humane friend, Mr. Adair, indeed, continued his usual affiduity. And seeing that my other phyficians had not rendered me any fervice, he brought to me by ftealth, Dr. Lucas. Though this gentleman's profeffional merit was very great, yet as his political principles were fo different from our own, his introduction to our house was eftecmed reprehenfible.

Dr.

Dr. Lucas foon found out what had puzzled fo many of the fraternity, the real state of my diforder. He pronounced it to be a confirmed abscess in my lungs; as it afterwards proved to be. And informed me, that if it broke while I dozed, (for I could not fleep,) it would in all probability choak me. He had attended me in my early days in Dublin. He then acted as an apothecary. But being allowed one of the best chymifts in the kingdom, he obtained a diploma. Yet he ftill prepared his own prescriptions himself. Notwithstanding the Doctor had loft an eye in analyzing some drug, he was not only a son of Apollo in medicine, but likewife in love, and he fet off upon his entrance into his new line, as un gallant homme.

When he had properly prepared me, by such medicines as he thought necessary, he sent me to the hotwells at Bristol to keep my Christmas. At that feafon of the year, the Wells are only frequented by emaciated wretches, who are fent there to receive their quietus. I had totally loft the use of my limbs, could not lift my hand to my head, and was carried like a child, in the fervant's arms. During the journey, I was ordered not to make my stages more than twenty miles a day. And notwithstanding it was intenfely cold weather, I was obliged to travel with the windows of the chaife down. As I was well known on the road, the masters and mistres

ses of the inns feemed by their looks to take a last leave of me, and to regret the lofs of fo good a cuftomer as I had been to them.

Mrs. Sparks, the wife of Mr. Sparks the comedian, left her family to accompany me. For my dear Mifs Meredith had been obliged to return to France upon account of the same complaint which had occafioned her to vifit that kingdom before. The two nurses and fervants made a confiderable fuit. Indeed I fhould not have been in the least concerned, had I spent Calcraft's whole fortune upon the occafion. My refentment had returned, and I would not permit him to take leave of me, or even fuffer his name to be mentioned in my presence.

faries of painful journies, I arrieved at the Wells; where the objects that appeared before me, the dreary profpect, and the difmal tolling of Clifton bell, presented nothing but a scene of horror to my imagination. I was configned to the care of Doctor Ford, and ordered to drink port-wine and punch. As I had never tafted either of thofe liquors before, having been accustomed to wine and water, the prefcribed beverage was by no means pleafing to me. But the lancet had been fo often ufed, that from my exhausted habit a dropfy was apprehended, even if I should get the better of my other complaint.

At length the abscess broke while I was taking an airing. I hurried back, and Doctor Ford (to whose

4

whofe care and attention I am much indebted) being fent for, he ordered me immediately down to the pump-room. I was there drenched with the water. He then directed that I should be put to bed between the blankets, well warmed, and fome burnt brandy given me. This being done, I lay down, for the first time I had been able to do fo for above four months. As foon as I was in bed I fell asleep, and did not awake for eighteen hours. During that time I flept fo ftilly, that it was often thought by those about me, that I had ftolen a march into the other world. They frequently put a glass to my mouth, fo doubtful were they of my retaining any signs of fenfation; but still perceiving refpiration, they were in hopes that my sleep would prove cordial to my vital powers, and tend to my recovery.

It was not to be expected, however, that my recovery would be fo inftantaneous as it proved to be. For when I awoke I was not only able to ftand, but to walk into the next room. The cause of my disorder being thus happily removed, I recovered strength every day. Upon which I refolved to leave my prefent melancholy abode, and return to town. And being at the fame time determined that I would not go back again to Mr. Calcraft's I wrote to my mother to defire fhe would let me have her house.

The house in Brewer-ftreet, which formerly belonged to Mr. Calcraft, had been taken by her, and fhe let it out to perfons of fortune, thereby making a confiderable addition to her income. Though she had more than fufficient to maintain her, yet she was fo fond of dependents, that she was always complaining of being distressed. She had no reason, indeed, to complain of me in that point. As I never knew the value of money, t would have been rather extra · ordinary if my mother was the last person that received pecuniary tokens of my regard.

She had formed an intimacy with the widow of the well known Dr. Purcell; who had changed her name by a second marriage to Lock. Her only gratification was that of the table. And as she was not poffeffed of any property, my liberal parent greatly diftreffed herself to grant Mrs. Lock fuch temporary supplies as were neceffary for the support of that good living fhe would be indulged in. So that, at her death, the fum amounted to upwards of feven hundred pounds

My mother, though much hurt at the circumftance which occafioned my leaving Parliament-freet, and

*In the former editions, this lady was faid to be the fifter of Dr. Warburton, Bishop of Gloucester; but I have lately been informed by a relation of his Lordship's that she was only a friend, whome he honoured with his notice.

rendered