Crossley's birthday (31st March) is approaching. Raines writes:
'The years pass away too rapidly, but it is delightful to find that they deal so gently with you, and that you really find life worth having, as you enjoy good health, although we cannot conceal the fact that after three score and ten years, the next ten is a Balaclava charge into the jaws of death.' (Raines to Crossley, 27th March, 1876)
