attention can perform.  Of any improvement in my health I cannot yet please myself with the perception.—­The asthma has no abatement.  Opiates stop the fit, so as that I can sit and sometimes lie easy, but they do not now procure me the power of motion; and I am afraid that my general strength of body does not encrease.  The weather indeed is not benign; but how low is he sunk whose strength depends upon the weather[1093]!  I am now looking into Floyer[1094] who lived with his asthma to almost his ninetieth year.  His book by want of order is obscure, and his asthma, I think, not of the same kind with mine.  Something however I may perhaps learn.  My appetite still continues keen enough; and what I consider as a symptom of radical health, I have a voracious delight in raw summer fruit, of which I was less eager a few years ago[1095].  You will be pleased to communicate this account to Dr. Heberden, and if any thing is to be done, let me have your joint opinion.  Now—­abite curoe;—­let me enquire after the Club[1096].’

July 31.  ’Not recollecting that Dr. Heberden might be at Windsor, I thought your letter long in coming.  But, you know, nocitura petuntur[1097], the letter which I so much desired, tells me that I have lost one of my best and tenderest friends[1098].  My comfort is, that he appeared to live like a man that had always before his eyes the fragility of our present existence, and was therefore, I hope, not unprepared to meet his judge.  Your attention, dear Sir, and that of Dr. Heberden, to my health, is extremely kind.  I am loth to think that I grow worse; and cannot fairly prove even to my own partiality, that I grow much better.’

August 5.  ’I return you thanks, dear Sir, for your unwearied attention, both medicinal and friendly, and hope to prove the effect of your care by living to acknowledge it.’

August 12[1099].  ’Pray be so kind as to have me in your thoughts, and mention my case to others as you have opportunity.  I seem to myself neither to gain nor lose strength.  I have lately tried milk, but have yet found no advantage, and am afraid of it merely as a liquid.  My appetite is still good, which I know is dear Dr. Heberden’s criterion of the vis vitoe.  As we cannot now see each other, do not omit to write, for you cannot think with what warmth of expectation I reckon the hours of a post-day.’

August 14.  ’I have hitherto sent you only melancholy letters, you will be glad to hear some better account.  Yesterday the asthma remitted, perceptibly remitted, and I moved with more ease than I have enjoyed for many weeks.  May GOD continue his mercy.  This account I would not delay, because I am not a lover of complaints, or complainers, and yet I have since we parted uttered nothing till now but terrour and sorrow.  Write to me, dear Sir.’