Dear Sir

Downing Jan 221.^st. 1787.

You relieved me from my despair of ever hearing from you again. I began to fear that something amiss had befel you & yours: & now lament that my suspicions are in some measure true. Possibly you will think that a still warmer air than that of vectis will be necessary for your fair daughter's recovery. My son will rejoice to have the advantage of waiting on you in the south of France in his Tour of this year: nor shall I miss you in Town next winter as I shall make that the year of rustication: so I forsee double advantages in my journey: but more of this when we all meet in March.

I thank you for keeping me in y^r thoughts in respect to my queries. I have written all I can respecting the isle of wight: but have left large blanks in the M. S. for any additions. I have a good admiral or two who favors & feeds my deliria, & takes care at lest that I am insanire to com ratione.¹

You are to place Lord Donnegal's Seat at p. [...] of Journey to London: Serjeant Glynne at p. [...] vol. 1 welsh Tour. the last has several additional drawings which you may command when you have seen them.

If you see M^rStorer before I do, Be so good as to give him the inclosed.² Let him only mention the sort & size of the paper he wishes to have the drawings on & they shall be executed.

I am thankful for the good health with which Providence has blessed me & mine: & for numbers of other good things of this life. If my wishes could bestow the former on you & the dear objects of your affection you w^d find nothing to complain of. But recall your spirits & instead of talking of being eaten, long may you & yours continue to eat, & sport with all the blessings of this life.³

adieu
Y^rs most truely

Thomas Pennant

My son presents best wishes. He is returned much improved & uncontaminated.⁴

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Editorial notes

1. 'mad with reason' (i.e. not completely mad).
2. The enclosure is not present with the MS letter.
3. For pessimistic reflections by Bull on his advancing years see the close of 1056.
4. David Pennant returned from his first continental tour in mid-November 1786. See Thomas Pennant to George Allan, 27 November 1786, in Nichols, Literary anecdotes, VIII, p. 750; Evans, 'The life and work of Thomas Pennant', pp. 69, 117, n. 204.