wrote to Bishop Gastaldi's s niece,”but everything will pass”.637 Practically everything was due to excessive work, to a persistent eye problem, to early physical deterioration as he himself remarked: "I am (extremely) tired, non plus ultra (Can't do anything anymore)”638 "I am at Alassio, in pieces”.639 What definitely contributed to his poor condition was his continuous moving around, looking for charitable contributions, and his desk work. “It has been months now since I go to my desk at 2 pm and get away from it at 8:30 pm for supper time”.640 Naturally, this was done after the ordinary work of a long morning; it was often prolonged into late evening hours, by lamp light, when his eye ailment allowed him. "This latest (missionary) expedition has made both my legs and my purse quite tired”.641 "In spite of so many projects, I was not able yet to have an hour's vacation this whole year... " Summing things up I do not know where to start and where to stop anymore”.642
To the end of his life, Don Bosco was bothered by his eyes, often recorded in references in his letters. " My consultations with the oculist came up with the following verdict: as far as the right eye is concerned, there is a little hope; the left eye may be kept at the status quo, by stopping to read and write”.643 "My eyes are gone and I cannot write anymore".644 “My eyes have somehow
improved”.645 “PS. It's the first handwritten letter for four months”.646
Added to his eye troubles was reference to his general health during the last years of his life: "I cut it short because my stomach is very tired”.647 "My health is not bad but it is not very good either. I' m always very tired”.648 "My health has ups and downs”.649 “I'm here at San Benigno Canavese: very tired”.650 "I am half blind and I can hardly write, therefore bear with my bad handwriting”. 651 "I have become very old and half blind”.652 " I have waited to write for several months but my old lazy hand kept forcing me to delay this pleasure. Now I feel that the sun is about to set; and so I thought it best to leave you some written thoughts as the will and testament of one who has always loved you and still loves you”.653 “I am almost blind, almost unable to walk, write, speak”. 654 "I am here at Lanzo, half blind and half or entirely lame and almost dumb... I cannot use my hand to write”. 655 “I find it hard to write; my days are running fast toward their end”.656 Even the very last letters we have repeat the same refrain: “I cannot write anymore. These are the last efforts of my poor hand”. 657 “I cannot walk or write anymore and if I do it I do it badly”. 658
637 Letter 22 July 1873, E II 294..
638 Letter to Don Rua, July 1877, E III 198.
639 Letter to Don Rua, July 1877, E III 201.
640 Letter to Don Bodrato, May 1877, E III 172.
641 Letter to Don Fagnano, 14 Nov. 1877, E III 236.
642 Letter to Countess Corsi, 22 Oct. 1877, E III 397.
643 Letter to Countess Callori, 14 Nov. 1873, E II 318.
644 Letter to the bishop of Vigevano, Mons. De Gaudenzi, 1 Dec. 1878, E III 420. 645 Letter to Mrs. Saettone, 20 Dec. 1878, E III 423.
646 Letter to Canon Guiol, 29 March 1879, E III 462.
647 Letter to Don De Agostini, 4 Jan. 1884, E IV 248.
648 Letter to Countess Bonmartini, 4 Feb. 1884, E IV 253.
649 Letter to Card. Alimonda, 3 May 1884, E IV 259.
650 Letter to Don De Agostini, 2 Sept. 1885, E IV 338.
651 Letter to Mrs. Maggi Fannio, 15 Sept. 1885, E IV 339.
652 Letter to Don Allavena, 24 Sept. 1885, E IV 340.
653 Letter to Don Lasagna, 30 Sept. 1885, E IV 340.
654 Letter to a young cleric, 5 Oct. 1885, E IV 343.
655 Letter to Baronness Azelia Fassati Ricci, 24 July 1887, E IV 382. 656 Letter to Mrs. Pilati, 26 July 1887, E IV 382.
657 Letter to Mrs. Zavaglia.Mancina, 7 Nov. 1887, E IV 385.
658 Letter to Mrs. Broquier, 27 Nov. 1887, E IV 386