It was a very severe winter, which probably
aggravated his complaints; and the solitude in which Mr. Levett and Mrs.
Williams had left him, rendered his life very gloomy. Mrs. Desmoulins,
who still lived, was herself so very ill, that she could contribute very
little to his relief. He, however, had none of that unsocial shyness
which we commonly see in people afflicted with sickness. He did not
hide his head from the world, in solitary abstraction; he did not deny
himself to the visits of his friends and acquaintances; but at all
times, when he was not overcome by sleep, was ready for conversation as
in his best days.
'TO MRS. LUCY PORTER, IN LICHFIELD.
'DEAR MADAM,--You may perhaps think me negligent that I have not
written to you again upon the loss of your brother; but condolences and
consolations are such common and such useless things, that the omission
of them is no great crime: and my own diseases occupy my mind,
and engage my care. My nights are miserably restless, and my days,
therefore, are heavy.
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