to Lichfield, a place of more society, but otherwise of less convenience.  When I am settled, I shall write again.  Of the hot weather that you mention, we have [not] had in Derbyshire very much, and for myself I seldom feel heat, and suppose that my frigidity is the effect of my distemper; a supposition which naturally leads me to hope that a hotter climate may be useful.  But I hope to stand another English winter.’

Lichfield, Sept. 29.  ’On one day I had three letters about the air-balloon[1109]:  yours was far the best, and has enabled me to impart to my friends in the country an idea of this species of amusement.  In amusement, mere amusement, I am afraid it must end, for I do not find that its course can be directed so as that it should serve any purposes of communication; and it can give no new intelligence of the state of the air at different heights, till they have ascended above the height of mountains, which they seem never likely to do.  I came hither on the 27th.  How long I shall stay I have not determined.  My dropsy is gone, and my asthma much remitted, but I have felt myself a little declining these two days, or at least to-day; but such vicissitudes must be expected.  One day may be worse than another; but this last month is far better than the former; if the next should be as much better than this, I shall run about the town on my own legs.’

October 6.  ’The fate of the balloon I do not much lament[1110]:  to make new balloons, is to repeat the jest again.  We now know a method of mounting into the air, and, I think, are not likely to know more.  The vehicles can serve no use till we can guide them; and they can gratify no curiosity till we mount with them to greater heights than we can reach without; till we rise above the tops of the highest mountains, which we have yet not done.  We know the state of the air in all its regions, to the top of Teneriffe, and therefore, learn nothing from those who navigate a balloon below the clouds.  The first experiment, however, was bold, and deserved applause and reward.  But since it has been performed, and its event is known, I had rather now find a medicine that can ease an asthma.’

October 25.  ’You write to me with a zeal that animates, and a tenderness that melts me.  I am not afraid either of a journey to London, or a residence in it.  I came down with little fatigue, and am now not weaker.  In the smoky atmosphere I was delivered from the dropsy, which I consider as the original and radical disease.  The town is my element[1111]; there are my friends, there are my books, to which I have not yet bid farewell, and there are my amusements.  Sir Joshua told me long ago that my vocation was to publick life, and I hope still to keep my station, till GOD shall bid me Go in peace[1112].’

To MR. HOOLE:—­