To Thomas Martin 8 February 1854

My dear Sir,

I am much obliged by your last batch of notices – all useful in affording hints, whether applicable to such a parish as this or not – we had been doing something in the way of Rice – & have had 1½ Tons to sell at 1d per lb. Besides 500 herrings, & 1 lb of coarse sugar, to sweeten the rice to the Children – I find the Rice has made great progress in the affections of most of the people – Our plan was to allow such families as had 2 or more children under 14 years, to purchase 10lb for each child – & those that had 3 or more to purchase (in addition either 5lb of flour or 7lb more rice for 1d – the latter receiving their quota in 2 deliveries (of which one will take place tomorrow) – & I find that more than half of those who preferred to take the addition in flour last time now prefer to take all in rice – in fact very few stick to the flour. On Tuesday I finish the course of 4 lectures I have been giving at Ipswich this winter, in reference to a series of illustrations I am preparing for the Museum, & I send you a few newspaper strips of the notices of these illustrations, which have already appeared – I have sketched out a plan for an epitome of Natural History, in a series of typical objects (specimens, models & figures) which range on the floor of the Museum; & from these references one made to others in the cases round the room – [letter cut] – notice I send you a copy I have retained for myself & you can return it – but possibly the enclosed [one may be], to show you the plan – My object is to make people (who visit a museum) think about, & not merely gape at the objects they see there – I have had rather too many Irons in the fire for a man now 58, & for the first time in my life, my constitution has given me warning that I am getting old – about 3 months ago a pain in my chest made my medical attendant apprehensive that I might have some organic affections of the head; but he & Dr Billing (who examined me) now think it arose from dyspepsia – I can now walk about freely again; instead of going to bed at 1, I get there as soon after 10 as I can – live a little more freely – & clothe myself more warmly – I trust with a little less work than heretofore I shall before long find myself re-established – indeed I have only slight traces of the affections left – I accidentally saw Mr [Sand] in the train to Ipswich yesterday I was concerned to hear from him that the son who was with you is seriously ill at home

Believe me

very truly yours

J. Henslow