JENKINS
Oct. 14.
To Dr LEWIS.
DEAR DICK,
You cannot imagine what pleasure I have in seeing your hand-writing,
after such a long cessation on your side of our
correspondence -- Yet, Heaven knows, I have often seen your
hand-writing with disgust -- I mean, when it appeared in abbreviations
of apothecary's Latin -- I like your hint of making interest for
the reversion of the collector's place, for Mr Lismahago, who is
much pleased with the scheme, and presents you with his
compliments and best thanks for thinking so kindly of his
concerns -- The man seems to mend, upon further acquaintance. That
harsh reserve, which formed a disagreeable husk about his
character, begins to peel off in the course of our communication --
I have great hopes that he and Tabby will be as happily paired
as any two draught animals in the kingdom; and I make no doubt
but that he will prove a valuable acquisition to our little
society, in the article of conversation, by the fire-side in
winter.
Your objection to my passing this season of the year at such a
distance from home, would have more weight if I did not find
myself perfectly at my ease where I am; and my health so much
improved, that I am disposed to bid defiance to gout and
rheumatism -- I begin to think I have put myself on the
superannuated list too soon, and absurdly sought for health in
the retreats of laziness -- I am persuaded that all valetudinarians
are too sedentary, too regular, and too cautious -- We should
sometimes increase the motion of the machine, to unclog the
wheels of life; and now and then take a plunge amidst the waves
of excess, in order to caseharden the constitution.
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