13 Great Stuart Street

Friday Dec^r 9^th

My dear Henry

I have received yours of the 7^th this morning – & Ela has one from you 2 days ago – Monie wrote to you on Tuesday & acknowledged your former letter to me of the 1^st which Crossed mine of the 2^d – I have not written since, because poor Goodwin’s state of health negatived all plans & suggestions, as R^d would tell you – D^r Moir & his partner D^r <Herriot?> had a consultation here on Tuesday Wednesday, and they found that Goodwin is suffering from great enlargement of the Liver – it is three times larger than it ought to be and he now complains very much of pains all over his frame, internally, which prevent his moving an arm even without great suffering. His rest at night is quite broken from this cause, – his appetite fails & he is decidedly losing ground. It was on Tuesday that the doctors put him under treatment for the liver, and D^r Moir agreed to drop the daily visit & fixed today, Friday, as a proper interval to judge of the effect of the new medicines – He did call this morning – and I am sorry to say that he takes now an unfavorable view of the case – His words were “I am just afraid that he is not going to recover.” – I have shrunk from seeing him myself during this illness, but tomorrow I think I will summon resolution to go into the room & ask after him. Monie has seen him often, and M^lle A saw him for a few minutes yesterday – it gives him pleasure, & that is what one wishes. – But unless there is an unlooked for change shortly, I shall have small hopes indeed of seeing him recover. The doctors think the pain he complains of proceeds from weak digestion – and that we were a little too zealous about feeding him – He says we must be more careful & he has ordered fomentations, night & morning. I hope this will soothe him & induce better sleep – Henriette is chief nurse, & passes the night on the Couch in your room – which she says is exceedingly comfortable.

It is so fortunate you do not want to be in Edinburgh just yet, – as we could make no change in the house arrangements at present.

We had snow storms yesterday but the sprinkling which lay in the Streets was washed off during the night by heavy rain – We shall like to see Caroline’s letter – still more, M^r Roach’s sermon when you have done with it – but being on the spot, I think you should have gone to hear him preach the said sermon – We are very glad about the pension –

Your affectionate

Constance