He is decidedly better, but cannot recover.

Let him have a place in your prayers.
Windsor Castle, June 24, 1871.
My dear Dean Ramsay--The attraction of the Scott Centenary to Edinburgh is strong, and your affectionate invitation makes it stronger still.

I do not despair of being free, and if free, I mean to use my freedom, so as to profit by both.

At the same time the delays and obstructions to business have been so formidable that I must not as yet presume to forecast the time when I may be able to escape from London, and therefore I fear I must draw upon your indulgence to allow me some delay.

The session may last far into August, but the stars may be more propitious.
We are all grumbling at an unusually cold year, and the progress of vegetation seems to be suspended, but I trust no serious harm is yet done; as Louis Napoleon said, _tout peut se retablir_.
It would indeed be delightful could I negotiate for a right to bring you back with me on coming southwards.
So glad to hear a good account of your health and appearance from our Lord Advocate; a clever chiel, is he not ?--Ever affectionately yours, W.E.