John Dalby letter to Leigh Hunt, August 15, 1856

              Wildfield 
Augst. 15th. 1856 -   

Be under no concern, my dear Hunt, about my arm.  It has regained, & is regaining strength.  I was a night walker on the unlucky occasion, & not a "right walker."  When within a mile or so of home, I wandered into forbidden ground (don't suspect me of poaching!) & for the life of me could not get out of it.  Four mortal hours was I traversing an enchanted (anything but enchanting) maze; &, as I guess, somewhere about the second hour, fell into a sort of pit which, judging by the flames that at once seemed to envelope me, might have been that of hell itself!  How I got out of it, & home, after beating about for two hours more, I cannot tell; & have since, several times, vainly endeavoured to ascertain; but I did get home & for more than ten weeks was confined there so you see it is an old story, after all.  I still find much writing & much exertion of any kind affect the ill-mended bone & muscle-contracted arm - but I am "in harness" & hopeful - as a pupil of Leigh Hunt ought to be.  I need not tell you that I had the best & most affectionate of nurses - & a surgeon who at all events amused me, & more - interested me, for he is remarkably like you