Letter from Charles Dickens, London, to Angela Burdett-Coutts, 1852 June 27 : autograph manuscript signed.

Relating the benefits he derived from snuff when he had an ailment similar to Mrs. Brown's; saying "I am anxious to say to you that when I had exactly Mrs. Brown's illness - the sufferings of which were dreadful, and which I can most truly sympathize with in her - I derived extraordinary relief from a remedy suggested after many failures, by our ordinary medical man. It was, a large pinch of snuff whenever I felt the oppressive and fearful sensation. Not being a snufftaker, I got some 'High Dried Welch', which is perfectly clean and free from stain. This, and a teaspoonful of sal volatile in a wine glass of water when I awoke with that horror upon me in the night, did wonders. The snuff has certainly an immediate effect on the disordered nerves - or a real effect on their imaginary affection, which counteracts it. I wish you would tell her this. I recommend it, from an experience so oppressive and shocking to the spirits that I shudder to think of it. An accidental momentary recurrence of it, now, I should instantly meet with a pinch! Think how easy it is to try, and how very ready the proof. I write hastily before going to bed."