March 28th.—Sent down furniture, &c. by vans to Foxholes.
April 2nd.—Took possession of Foxholes; cold and windy, and I gouty.
To Mr. T. Longman
Foxholes, April 19th.—Lady Holland has written me a note quite as amiable as her brother, and all the family seem to be satisfied with my article. The little crack of the whip just nicked the fly on Abraham's ear. A touch is often more keenly felt than a blow, when dealt in the right place.
The only fault to be found with living here is that life glides away too rapidly, and I feel as if I should hardly have time to read over again the works of the Immortals, before I go to join them.
We have just got a splendid billiard table, and Hopie and I intersperse cannons and winning hazards with literature.
And the Journal:—
April 27th.—Returned to town. Very bad fit of gout. This was the year of my grand climacteric (sixty-three), and I was uncommonly ill. I went to Aix, May 30th; but was worse there, and came back, June 19th.
July 7th.—Garden party at Holland House; the only thing I was able to go to this year from incessant gout.
12th.—Came down to Foxholes. Great heat; no rain from April till August.