After dinner--I must end almost before I have begun! But, have you seen, in any newspaper, the address presented to Carlyle on his 80th birthday? I had no doubt about subscribing, and my name is there. I feel great deference for Masson, who asked me; and though I do not agree with all the ascriptions of the address, there is enough in which I do heartily agree to enable me to sign; so I send my sovereign with satisfaction. I shall not see the medal, not even a bronze one (you know Carlyle's is gold). My expenses are considerable _at present_ (not always), and I must not spend on such an object. The way in which the thing was done is delicate. Instead of overwhelming the old man with a deputation, the promoters had the packet quietly left at his door. It would set him weeping for his loneliness,--that his long-suffering, faithful wife did not witness this crowning glory. He does love fame (or _did_), and no man would despise such a tribute as this; but I think he will find it oppressive. What a change since the day when the _Edinburgh Review_ was obliged, as Jeffrey said, to decline articles from Carlyle--much as he wished to aid him--because the readers could not tolerate C.'s writings! And that was after his now famous "Burns" article had appeared, and founded his fame in America! Did you see that the _Times_ death-list showed, in two days last week, thirty-three deaths of persons over 70, eleven of whom were over 80? The effect of the cold! ... The sick and aged will die off fast this winter. May I be one! January 25, '76. DEAR OLD FRIEND, It is time that you were hearing from us of the marked increase in my illness within the few days since I last reported of matters of mutual interest. I will not trouble you with disagreeable descriptions of ailments which admit of no advantageous treatment. Last week there was, as twice before (and now again twice), a copious hemorrhage from some interior part, by which I am much weakened. The cause is not understood; and what does it matter? I neither know nor much care how it happens that I find myself sinking more rapidly than hitherto. All I know is that I am fully satisfied with my share of the interest and amusement of life, and of the value of the knowledge which has come to me by means of the brain, which is worth all the rest of us.