yet allow me, may be past in thy fear and to thy glory. Grant me good resolutions and steady perseverance. Relieve the diseases of my body, and compose the disquiet of my mind. Let me at last repent and amend my life; and, O Lord, take not from me thy Holy Spirit, but assist my amendment, and accept my repentance, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sunday, October 14, 1781.
(Properly Monday morning.)
I am this day about to go by Oxford and Birmingham to
Lichfield and Ashbourne. The motives of my journey
I hardly know. I omitted it last year, and am not
willing to miss it again. Mrs. Aston will be glad, I
think, to see me. We are both old, and if I put off
my visit, I may see her no more; perhaps she wishes
for another interview. She is a very good woman.
Hector is likewise an old friend, the only companion of my childhood that passed through the school with me. We have always loved one another. Perhaps we may be made better by some serious conversation, of which, however, I have no distinct hope.
At Lichfield, my native place, I hope to show a good example, by frequent attendance on public worship.
At Ashbourne, I hope to talk seriously with .
1782.
March 18.
Having been, from the middle of January, distressed by
a cold which made my respiration very laborious, and
from which I was but little relieved by being blooded
three times; having tried to ease the oppression of my
breast by frequent opiates, which kept me waking in
the night, and drowsy the next day, and subjected me
to the tyranny of vain imaginations; having to all this
added frequent catharticks, sometimes with mercury,
I at last persuaded Dr. Laurence, on Thursday, March
14, to let me bleed more copiously. Sixteen ounces
