For two or three days past, Papa has been more unwell than usual; not with any new complaints, but with an aggravation of his old ones. To day at dinner, he complained of dizziness: his ideas seemed confused, & some of his expressions were rather incoherent. We soon discovered that he was under the influence of a paralytick attack—1 After dinner, he returned to his room & laid down. The Doctor who was immediately sent for, pronounced his complaint a very slight paralytick affection. Neither his face or limbs were in the least affected. His articulation was perfect, but he found it difficult to express himself, from a forgetfulness of the words he wished to use— He frequently called things by wrong names; was conscious of his mistake, but unable to correct it. He seems collected; sensible of his situation, & willing to submit to the Doctor’s prescriptions— A blister has been applied to his neck & drafts to his feet. He is I think better than at dinnertime, & will I trust be much more so in the morning. We are as you may suppose, not a little alarmed & distressed; still I flatter myself, that nothing very serious is to be apprehended. Mr: and Mrs: Mortimer2 arrived on a visit this afternoon. I shall leave my letter open till morning—

Wednesday Morng: 5 Oclk. Papa has had a quiet night. He has said only a few words, but these were spoken distinctly. I shall write to you again by the first opportunity. Yours sincerely