From William Spence   5 September 1859

My dear Sir

Verifying the old remark that a road once travelled is easily found again, my purpose giver has been trying hard half a dozen times these two last hot months to lay me by the heels in bed as it did last year but happily my Commander in chief D. ^r S.R Thompson with his array of pills & potions has gained the victory tho’ leaving me in a very disabled state & unfit for all exertion bodily or mental.

This in a county with visits from my son & daughter & from grandchildren and so I was soon obliged to transfer to the Isle of Wight, must be my apology for not thanking you before for the Circulars you were so good as to send me which I looked upon with the interest I take in everything coming from you as I do in the Programme received the other day which caused many a happy & instructive afternoon both for your older & younger visitors.

I am glad you gave some of your School an opportunity of using the [illeg.] at hand, and [illeg.] you have given them, & hoping you will have finer weather on Tuesday the 29 ^th & that you will favour me with the Results of the party when finished, I am

My dear Sir yours very truly | W. Spence