My amiable Friend

Your Last Favor by your dear Little Son found me
in the hurry of Commencement and I had not the pleasure of seeing him
on his return. And what have I been doing ever since, immers'd in a Trifling
round, I wont charge myself with disipation, but methinks the necessary
daily avocations in which we are engagd & think ourselves Importantly
busy, must appear Small when Viewd by those Superior Beings who are
next in the Scale, and if those who were once employd with us in the Little
amusemts of Life could communicate their sentiments of us & what we
call enjoyment how would it lower our Ideas of ourselves & make us willing to be
dismissd from the present Scene to share with them in the far more
Noble & exalted pleasures of another state. if you should find me Sublime
remember I catch it from you, for I admire the thots your rural retirement
afford you, but they must in some measure result from an heart that
can Look with pleasure within itself, free from those hurries & perplexities
which attend those who not happy at home, Seek for happiness in the
Circle of Noise & Vanity, & to whom the Sober moments of Calm reflection &
Solitude are intolerable. I am now experienceing what I often deplore
a State of Widohood. I hope it will be a short Temporary one. Mr Winthrop
is gone a Joui in pursuit of health upon the water with Mr Hancock &c

I know they will have your good wishes. As your Son is becoming an
inhabitant among us I shall allways take pleasure in seeing him, he
with his Little chamber mate would have given me the greatest delight
in a Family way, had Circumstances allowd it. I think they are happily
plac'd.Master Jemmy must allow me to Look upon him in a nearer Light
than that of a Common acquaintance. I hope your other sons are in health.
pray make my regards acceptabl to Coll Warren. I shall depend upon
the Attractive influence of the little Loadstone you have deposited in Harvard
for your often appearnce in Cambridge. Considering my increase of Cares
in my Solitude you will excuse me in Shortening my Letter which I will
do by Subscribing

with Sincere Affection Yours
Hannah Winthrop

Cambridge August 14: 1772

[Endorsement]

Mrs Winthrop
Augt 1772