I have somewhere heard an observation of this kind, “that a person should not be too anxious to return a kindness.”1 Had I strictly 225adhered to this injunction, an Answer to your last favor would not so soon have followed;2 but as you expect shortly to be at Braintree in person, I must either remain in your Debt, or take this opportunity to discharge the obligation. I am happy to find that the novelty of your situation has not obliterated the remembrance of your now solitary companion, & when I tell you of the exertion which this poor scrap requires from me at present, you will think it of more consequence than otherwise it would deserve. Tomorrow will complete a fortnight since I was first seized with the Southern Plague, Viz. The Ague Fever;3 and regularly every other Day since, I have had a severe fit, which has reduced me at least four degrees in point of flesh; as to Spirits, hardly any thing this side an inflamitory Rheumatism, will greatly diminish them. My mother when she returnd we found had been very ill most of the time in her absence, but happily, has had no fever fit since she got home. But you have enough of this. Charles left us on Sunday for New York, but Mrs Smith still continues with us, otherwise I should lose a little of my jolity; and should be quite impatient for your company. Truly if I may judge by your letter, I shall think you something more than a sort of a Gallant. I fear the good Judge had designs upon you, when he gave you the office of Executor. The facetious young Lady whom you sett at defiance may ensnare, in a course of time. How many a charm is born to be adored, yet ne’er to be enjoyed by those who worship the possessor's. This is all I have to say concerning one whom you have mentioned. Is it not possible for our heads together to invent a name for a cetain lady? I am not pleased with that she has at present. Your expedition to Exeter has at least made you acquainted with some impudent people. Above every thing I think the Judges of a Court of Justice should be treated with common respect, even if their learning will not entitle them to it. Much of the credit of a Layyer depends upon his manner of treating the Bench. Where the opinions of Judges are treated with contempt, the justice of a cause may as well be determined by the throw of a Dye, as the verdict of a Jury. A Gentleman Lawyer has many clients in esse.4

Betsey Smith is now at your father's; she with the rest of your family are very well and will be as happy to see you next week as

Influenced by the same principle as when I last wrote, viz. That of discharging a debt before it has accumulated much on the score of interest, I have determined to come to a settlement to the date hereof.1 You must not however expect the same degree of pure metal as that which produced the obligation; but make many grains of allowance for barrenness of Mint. Even should you be paid in Script subject to speculation, at least I shall not be subject to a Qui Tam prosecution. I am no less affected by the cause of your detainer, than the disappointment it occasioned; both cause and consequence however, I hope are temporary. The novelty of your scheme for getting yourself into business, is no less than its singularity. At any rate it discovers a fertility of invention, which in these dull times, is peculiarly serviceable to the possessor, more especially in our Profession. Money in puritanical times, was said to be “the root of all evil,”2 A modern Churl, who sometimes indulges himself somewhat extensively in substitution or rather, prostitution of terms, has altered, by no means amended, the maxim, by which it reads thus “Women the reservoirs of all Scandal.” Far be it from me to reveal the Author's name, for I have no inclination to immolate one of my fellow mortals on an Altar, the workmanship of his own temerity. I shall rather consider him as an object of commiseration, for having engaged in a most unequal contest. I am not the Jew for whose destruction the Gallows was erected.3 Having thus expressed my opinion of the deplorable situation of a person engaged in this female war; it will be superfluous to add any thing by way of caution to you. The Ancient Ballad, afforded much entertainment to all true lovers of Atticism. Every one lamented the extinguishment of the Coal, and if any sudden blast from my bellows could have revived 227the spark, the gentle fannings from every passing breeze, had soon restored it to its former glow. The subject original, was majestic, but the consequent effects are sufficiently ludicrous, and as such described, by the Balladist. “Hence in old dusky time a deluge came,” &ca:4 The Ladies may make this passage of Thomson's applicable to their own case by erasing a single word. If you dare let them know that the history of their excursion has so soon passed the Merrimack, you may offer them my congratulations upon their arrival in safe moorings without being cast away.

When I mentioned my Sister to you in my last it was certainly an omission on my part not to mention her fine boys. If they could be under the government of your good mother for one week before you come, you would be pleased with their vivacity; but under present management I fear you will perceive very soon where the defect lies. I was yesterday threatned with a return of my Ague, but hope from the precautions I have taken, to escape its further attacks. It is almost a fortnight since I had a real fit. The Bark has been administered in copious effusions to your cousin