Page:Memoirs of a Huguenot Family.djvu/421

 My wife and family desire to be respectfully remembered to you.


 * I am, dear sir,

Yours affectionately and dutifully. 5em

To Mr. Moses Fontaine. June 19 th, 1760.

It has escaped my memory if you before advertised me of your intention to quit London.
 * —Yours from Cwm Castle of Nov. 30th came to hand some few days ago.

My conjectures concerning the effect of your exchanging the gross air of that immensely populous city for the purer air you now breathe, I perceive were not quite without foundation. Indeed, they were in good measure built on what I have had occasion to observe here. Persons who have been either born in the mountainous country hereabouts, or resided in it long enough to acquire what we call a mountain constitution, on their removal to the flatter lands and the large rivers, are infallibly unhealthy there, however healthy and robust they used to be here, so that, in the course of a few years, an athletic habit degenerates and dwindles into one valetudinary and cachectic. But when driven thence to this part of the country again, which is beautifully diversified with Milton's grateful variety of hill and dale, you would be surprised to see how suddenly they recover their wonted strength and vigor. I suppose the great difference between the two airs to be the cause which produces these effects.