WCP5608

[1]

Tuesday, Aug — 29/ [18]65

My dear Hanbury /

I was sorry not to have seen you last evening, for I wanted a few minutes' talk to you. I had (imprudently) strolled as far as Deane's¹ where I had to rest a good while before I could walk back again, even with aid of Mr. Deane's arm, and I was so completely done up that I had to go to bed almost immediately, where I had fever for several hours before I could fall asleep.

I have been here 5 weeks — I suffer rather less pain then when I came, but I am weaker. What ought I to do? If I am to linger on still in this way, I should like to get into a cheaper lodging — say such a one as I had at Kew, where the mistress of the house would herself attend to me. My expenses here are £3 — 10.0 a week — besides the 12/— rent of the rooms at Hurst — or altogether about three times my expenses at Hurst. — I take this lodging now for another week, or until Wednesday Sept. 6th. I wish I might then be well enough to go over to Hurst, were it merely to have my goods packed up, but I have small hope of it.

[2] I must then try to get a lodging, as near to Mr. Deane's & yourself as may be. — Wallace wishes to marry as soon as possible, and then there will be no room for one in his house, besides that I am now quite unable to go up and down 3 pairs of stairs.

I have thought sometimes that if I could have spent the summer in some cool region I might have regained a little strength, and had I not been obliged to look after that slippery Mitten² my intention was to have gone about all summer among my friends in the north, & at the same time have written away at my travels whenever I felt equal to it. It is too late now — I have not strength to travel. Deane and Wallace recommend me to try hydropathy³ — they say there is a very good establishment quite near London — and I would do so were I not afraid that even in its mildest form that mode of treatment would be too severe for me, for the xpense[?] would hardly be greater than where I am now.

[3] I want much to show you my MSS. so that you might see what they contain & in what state they are; but they are unfortunately at Hurst. For the account of my travels, besides what my journals contain, there are materials in it letters to written to Mr. Teasdale⁴, of Welburn near Castle-Howard, between the years 1849-1860, which letters he could lend to you if required.

I should be ashamed my dear Hanbury to trespass so continually on your goodnature did I not know that you would kindly excuse me.

Ever your obliged | Rich^d Spruce [signature]

D[aniel]. Hanbury Esq.