22 AUGUST 1981, Page 10

One hundred years ago

The condition of President Garfield is one to inspire grave anxiety, though the last accounts of him are decidedly better than those received early in the week. Inability to retain food and violent vomiting came on, ascribed by the physicians not directly to the wound, but to the general weakness which it had caused; and the result, of course, was greater weakness. This alarming complication has abated, and hopes are still entertained of his recdvery. Still, the fact remains that each successive week seems to leave the President's condition rather less than more hopeful. The sympathy felt with him is strictly universal, unless the assassin be the sole exception.

Spectator, 20 August 1881