smiled last evening at the idea of my coming to Cornwall by easy stages, and sleeping by night at inns, and of either you or John coming to assist me on my arduous journey. Believe me, my dear children, were I disposed to undertake the journey, that from London to Falmouth, inside a coach, would leave but little necessity for relaxation or assistance on the way. I could step in and skip out with but little diminution of my former agility. With your kind request, that I prepare to leave London immediately,' it is scarcely possible for me to comply. While able, as I am, to attend to the duties of my station, I cannot leave so abruptly. In addition to this, the winter is creeping away. I ride both home and out, and in my office have a nice fire to keep me warm. My health is much better than it was during the month of November and early part of December. My appetite is good, and my strength is increasing. My cough also is less frequent and troublesome than it was about two months since. Sometimes I have no cough whatever for several hours, until the collection of mucus in the lungs requires an effort of nature to effect its discharge. My mode of living is as follows: - I generally rise at eight, get my breakfast, and reach the office at half-past nine; carry something with me for lunch; and, without going home to dinner, remain until four in the afternoon, when I return home, and come no more for the day. With my lunch I take a glass or two of port wine, a bottle of which I keep in my desk. On returning home, at four, I have either dinner or tea, as may be most inviting. My greatest source of complaint is, that I sleep badly. This has been my portion ever since 1828, and will most probably be my companion to the grave. "You ask, 'Have you applied to a physician?' I answer no: and, unless I suffer a relapse, I do not intend it: I am not willing to ascribe that to a physician which, under a kind Providence, nature is doing for me. If, as the spring come on, I find that my cough does not wholly subside, and leave me in restored health, I shall, about July, adopt the measures you now recommend. With debilitated health I shall never encounter another late autumn in London. I therefore most solemnly pledge myself, unless I find my health established in the spring, to leave London about July or August; and, in that case, shall be glad for Anna, more particularly, to come up and see her sister, and then we can return together. I hope I shall not require any assistance beyond what she can render. "I do now, my dear Anna, most sincerely assure you, that, to the best of my knowledge, I have given an impartial account of my health; and no consideration shall induce me to tarry here to endanger life; but, as I am better than I was, and spring is advancing, I am willing to try a few months longer, and in the result shall be guided by circumstances. I hope this long letter will gain some credit, to put your apprehensions to rest. With love to all friends, "I remain, dear Anna and John, "Your affectionate father, "Mrs. John Read, Helston." Thus assured, his children endeavoured to dismiss their fears, and, having exacted from their father a promise to consult a physician, fondly hoped that they should receive further confirmation of his returning health and strength. On Sunday morning, January 20, 1833, Mr. Drew preached at Middlesex chapel, in the First London circuit, from Isaiah lv. 6, 7, "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is Let the wicked forsake his way, and the un near. righteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." He rode from his daughter's house to Old-Street, and walked thence to the chapel:- from the chapel he walked to a friend's at Hackney, where he dined: from Hackney he walked to City-Road, and thence rode home. This was his last sermon. In the letters which follow, the reader will perceive those continued indications of decay which, from tenderness to his children, he was scarcely willing to admit, lest they should be needlessly alarmed. "15, Owen's-Row, Feb. 4, 1833. "Your kind inquiries and solicitude for my health lay me, my dear friend, under renewed and lasting obligations. I am by no means well; but am not sufficiently indisposed to neglect the duties of my office. The violence of my cough has most decidedly subsided; and I am looking for milder days, and approaching spring, to confirm my health. In the mean while I feel much weakness, languor, and lassitude, which renders almost every exertion burdensome. A small portion of effort creates a shortness of breath; and I generally feel disposed to sit down and doze in silence. At the same time my appetite is good, but my sleep broken and disturbed. "For your kind invitation, to come on any Sunday to dinner, I feel obliged, and will avail myself of the first opportunity to prove that I am sincere. I cannot, however, fix any day at present; but, come when I will, I hope to be with you soon after one. Why my name has been entirely omitted on the City-Road plan, I am at a loss to conjecture. I requested Mr. L. to give me no appointment during the quarter, but, at all events, to retain my name, as it would give me eligibility to resume my labours, in case my health would allow. My residence at present is 49, King's Cross, in the Queen-Street circuit; and on this plan Mr. Marsden has inserted my name. "Of me and my metaphysical talents your late honoured father has spoken in terms which I cannot divest of hyperbole. Alas! I shall never deserve the character. The letter to which I alluded I have not yet begun. You know, with me the latter part of every month is a busy time; and the volume, having been in Mr. Fisher's hands to read, has only been returned to me about three days. As soon as the letter is finished, it shall be consigned to your care. 66 You ask if I have begun my own memoir? I reply no; and must wait a little, until the grasshopper ceases to be a burden. My son-in-law has, however, kindly offered to write for me in the evenings, if I will dictate and furnish materials. 66 At your kindness in offering me a pipe I cannot but smile smoking has, of late, lost nearly all its charms. This important affair we can discuss and settle when we meet. Within two or three Sundays I hope to see you, though the modes of conveyance from hence to Stoke-Newington are, I believe, neither numerous nor regular. "That God may favour you and yours with every blessing for time and eternity, is the earnest desire of "Your's, most sincerely, "The long letter, that had long been pro mised, is sent at last. You will perceive that I have availed myself of my daughter's hand-writing; for "Your's, most sincerely, "Mrs. Richard Smith, "Palatine Houses, Stoke-Newington." A letter from Mr. Drew's youngest daughter, to her sister, at Helston, on the 22nd of February, again awakened the family's solicitude. It spoke of her father's increasing debility and decreasing appetite, notwithstanding the medicine prescribed by the physician. But to this was added, "Dr. C the gentleman whom he consults, says, he ought not at present to leave London, because he requires the best advice London can furnish; and this opinion must be disinterested, since he very generously declines taking any fee." His immediate removal was, therefore, not urged, however greatly it was desired. The question will probably be suggested, Why did Mr. Drew continue thus to struggle against wind and tide? Why did he not relinquish his occupation, and seek repose for his over-wrought frame? One reason has been already assigned-his attachment to his children; another is his stability of purpose. He |