My dear Mr. Purcell,--Poor papa has been so ill since his arrival in
Italy, that he could not reply to either of your two last letters,
and even now is compelled to employ me as his amanuensis. A misfortune
having occurred to our carriage, we were obliged to stop at a small
village called Colico, which, as the name implies, was remarkably
unhealthy. Here the gout, that had been hovering over him for some
days previous, seized him with great violence; no medical aid could
be obtained nearer than Milan, a distance of forty miles, and you may
imagine the anxiety and terror we all suffered during the interval
between despatching the messenger and the arrival of the doctor. As
it was, we did not succeed in securing the person we had sent for, he
having been that morning sentenced to the galleys for having in his
possession some weapon--a surgical instrument, I believe--that was
longer or sharper than the law permits; but Dr. Pantuccio came in his
stead, and we have every reason to be satisfied with his skill and
kindness. He bled papa very largely on Monday, twice on Tuesday, and
intends repeating it again to-day, if the strength of the patient allow
of it. The debility resulting from all this is, naturally, very great;
but papa is able to dictate to me a few particulars in reply to your
last. First, as to Crowther's bill of costs: he says, "that he certainly
cannot pay it at present," nor does he think he ever will. I do not know
how much of this you are to tell Mr. C., but you will be guided by your
own discretion in that, as on any other point wherein I may be doubtful.
Harris also must wait for his money--and be thankful when he gets it.
You will make no abatement to Healey, but try and get the farm out of
his hands, by any means, before he sublets it and runs away to America.
Tom Dunne's house, at the cross-roads, had better be repaired; and if a
proper representation was made to the Castle about the disturbed state
of the country, papa thinks it might be made a police-station, and
probably bring twenty pounds a year. He does not like to let Dodsborough
for a "Union;" he says it's time enough when we go back there to make it
a poorhouse. As to Paul Davis, he says, "let him foreclose, if he likes;
for there are three other claims before his, and he 'll only burn his
fingers,"--whatever that means.
Papa will give nothing to the schoolhouse till he goes back and examines
the children himself; but you are to continue his subscription to the
dispensary, for he thinks overpopulation is the real ruin of Ireland. I
don't exactly understand what he says about allowance for improvements,
and he is not in a state to torment him with questions; but it appears
to me that you are not to allow anything to anybody till some
Bill passes, or does not pass, and after that it is to be arranged
differently. I am afraid poor papa's head was wandering here, for he
mumbled something about somebody being on a "raft at sea," and hoped he
wouldn't go adrift, and I don't know what besides.
Your post-bill arrived quite safe; but the sum is totally insufficient,
and below what he expected. I am sure, if you knew how much irritation
it cost him, you would take measures to make a more suitable remittance.
I think, on the whole, till papa is perfectly recovered, it would be
better to avoid any irritating or unpleasant topics; and if you would
talk encouragingly of home prospects, and send him money frequently, it
would greatly contribute to his restoration.
I may add, on mamma's part and my own, the assurance of our being ready
to submit to any privation, or even misery if necessary, to bring papa's
affairs into a healthier condition. Mamma will consent to anything but
living in Ireland, which, indeed, I think is more than could be expected
from her. As it is, we keep no carriage here, nor have any equipage
whatever; our table is simply two courses, and some fruit. We are
wearing out all our old-fashioned clothes, and see nobody. If you can
suggest any additional mode of economizing, mamma begs you will favor
us with a line; meanwhile, she desires me to say that any allusion to
"returning to Dodsborough," or any plan "for living abroad as we lived
at home" will only embitter the intercourse, which, to be satisfactory,
should be free from any irritation between us.
Of course, for the present you will write to mamma, as papa is far from
being fit for any communication on matters of business, nor does the
doctor anticipate his being able for such for some weeks to come.
We have not heard from James since he left this, but are anxiously
expecting a letter by every post, and even to see his name in the
"Gazette." Cary does not forget that she was always your favorite, and
desires me to send her very kindest remembrances, with which I beg you
to accept those of very truly yours,
Mart Anne Dodd.
P. S. As it is quite uncertain when papa will be equal to any exertion,
mamma thinks it would be advisable to make your remittances, for some
time, payable to her name.
The doctor of the dispensary has written to papa, asking his support
at some approaching contest for some situation,--I believe under the
Poor-law. Will you kindly explain the reasons for which his letter has
remained unreplied to? and if papa should not be able to answer, perhaps
you could take upon yourself to give him the assistance he desires, as
I know pa always esteemed him a very competent person, and kind to
the poor. Of course the suggestion is only thrown out for your own
consideration, and in strict confidence besides, for I make it a point
never to interfere with any of the small details of pa's property.