Had passed through a most serious illness, during which all about him, save Swift, despaired of his recovery. But, says Swift,
'I found the seeds of life in him, which I observe seldom fail. — I found them in poor dearest Stella, when she was ill many years ago.'
His illness was aggravated by the ill-timed visit of his mother ('the greatest Overdo on earth' says Swift) and his sister. See p. 241, 1. 11 (note).