“Birmingham, Dec. 8th, 1781.

“DEAR MADAM,—­I am come to this place on my way to London and to Streatham.  I hope to be in London on Tuesday or Wednesday, and Streatham on Thursday, by your kind conveyance.  I shall have nothing to relate either wonderful or delightful.  But remember that you sent me away, and turned me out into the world, and you must take the chance of finding me better or worse.  This you may know at present, that my affection for you is not diminished, and my expectation from you is increased.  Do not neglect me, nor relinquish me.  Nobody will ever love you better or honour you more.”

“Feb. 16th, 1782.

“DEAREST LADY,—­I am better, but not yet well; but hope springs eternal.  As soon as I can think myself not troublesome, you may be sure of seeing me, for such a place to visit nobody ever had.  Dearest Madam, do not think me worse than I am; be sure, at least, that whatever happens to me, I am with all the regard that admiration of excellence and gratitude for kindness can excite, Madam, your” &c.

In “Thraliana”: 

“23rd February, 1782 (Harley Street).—­The truth is, Mr. Johnson has some occult disorder that I cannot understand; Jebb and Bromfield fancy it is water between the heart and pericardium—­I do not think it is that, but I do not know what it is.  He apprehends no danger himself, and he knows more of the matter than any of them all.”

On February 27th, 1782, he writes to Malone:  “I have for many weeks been so much out of order, that I have gone out only in a coach to Mrs. Thrale’s, where I can use all the freedom that sickness requires.”

On March 20th, 1782, to Mrs. Grastrell and Mrs. Aston:  “When Dr. Falconer saw me, I was at home only by accident, for I lived much with Mrs. Thrale, and had all the care from her that she could take or could be taken.”

April 26th, 1782, to Mrs. Thrale: 

“MADAM,—­I have been very much out of order since you sent me away; but why should I tell you, who do not care, nor desire to know?  I dined with Mr. Paradise on Monday, with the Bishop of St. Asaph yesterday, with the Bishop of Chester I dine to-day, and with the Academy on Saturday, with Mr. Hoole on Monday, and with Mrs. Garrick on Thursday, the 2nd of May, and then—­what care you? What then?

“The news run, that we have taken seventeen French transports; that Langton’s lady is lying down with her eighth child, all alive; and Mrs. Carter’s Miss Sharpe is going to marry a schoolmaster sixty-two years old.

“Do not let Mr. Piozzi nor any body else put me quite out of your head, and do not think that any body will love you like your” &c.

“April 30th, 1782.

“Mrs. Sheridan refused to sing, at the Duchess of Devonshire’s request, a song to the Prince of Wales.  They pay for the Theatre neither principal nor interest; and poor Garrick’s funeral expenses are yet unpaid, though the undertaker is broken.  Could you have a better purveyor for a little scandal?  But I wish I was at Streatham.  I beg Miss to come early, and I may perhaps reward you with more mischief.”