| Description | He has received her parcel and [Daniel?] Gunn's volume for her niece. They have looked at the sermons and letters. Catherine has written to her aunt and he gives a brief account of her, and of Sandy in Perth. He gives other news, including of Bell Small's health and neck abcess. He notes his own health and urinary problems, which he referred to Dr. Gregory. He gives an account of the use of a 'bougie' by his surgeon, who discovered a strong stricture at the neck of the bladder. He introduced a catheter twice a day and the problem has eased, but Alexander fears that this is complaint that was fatal to their brother. He gives a longer account of the treatment and pain. [19 December] He relates a visit last autumn from Christopher Anderson who had the objective of extending the interests of the Edinburgh Bible Society. From material sent later by Anderson, he learned of Dr. [William?] Carey's need for a copy of Vander Hooght's Hebrew Bible [Everard van der Hooght] and offered his copy via Mr. Fuller, which was accepted and sent, with a letter to Carey. [20 December] Alexander has managed to use the bougie without needing a catheter. He gives other news, including a letter from Sir John M. Murray of Lanrick urging him to publish a second edition of the Gaelic Grammar and offering to transact business with the printer and take 600 copies. He has recruited several named individuals to assist Alexander in improving the work. Alexander will spend some weeks in winter on the book and it may help him to pay off debt.
Inscribed: 'No.14' |