Phillips delivered me at Exeter a half sheet of paper from you,1 I trust I need not say it was very acceptable; I would only observe by the way, that I am no great friend to half-sheets. Sat verbum—2

We had a comfortable ordination.3 Phillips can give you any particulars that your curiosity may wish to be informed of. He was however by an unfortunate accident detained from the dance in the Evening. The weather was rather too warm but we danced till between three & four in the morning. The company was not so numerous as I should have expected. Nothing like a crowd.— Of five dances in which I join'd, I had a Miss Newhall as my partner for four; she was in former times reputed to be a flame of mine; and help'd to make me pass my time tolerably—4 There was however a weight hanging up on my spirits which she could not remove, nor could all the bustle and festivity of the time serve any further, than to make it somewhat less oppressive.— You have known me heretofore in such a state of mind for several days without any cause whatever; and I am persuaded that if from rational principles you cannot allow it to be a pitiable situation, your friendship will at least prevent you from considering it as a subject of derision. There is a passage in Hamlet, which describes in a striking manner that temper of mind, which you who are blest with a better flow of spirits cannot perhaps readily conceive. It is too long for a quotation, but if you wish to turn to it, you will find it in the sixth scene of the 66second Act. It begins “I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth &c”5 Putnam who went with me, and who has a fund of Spirits almost inexhaustible, enjoyed the occasion to perfection: and if laughter is a full evidence of happiness his felicity was incessant. The people were very hospitable, and we made ourselves quite familiar at almost all the houses in the town. We returned home on Thursday in the afternoon, very much fatigued, and I rejoyced that the expedition was brought to a close.

My Forensic with Bridge is at the same period of advancement that it has been at from the creation of the world to the present day; and will continue, and from this moment to the end of time in statu quo. I know nothing of such a forensic, but from common report— At any rate it will not take place, for Bridge is gone to Pownalborough; is now I presume a sworn attorney in the County of Lincoln, and has no thoughts of attending Commencement. My ambition and vanity are at present so much swallow'd up by a stupid indolence, and an unmeaning listlessness, that I have not a wish to show myself at that time; but I hope the President will offer the forensic to you and some other of our classmates residing in Boston; and that you will accept it if offered.—6 Little, as you know is gone to Virginia, and therefore the valedictory Oration must go to some one else: perhaps to Beale.7

I was at Haverhill about a fortnight since. They were then tolerably well, but I presume you saw Mr: Shaw at Election. He was at the Ordination with Betsey Smith and told me the family were all in good health. The young daughter is verily the child of their old age— For my part I cannot readily imagine how they can reconcile it to their consciences, to carry on that work yet. I wonder people at that time of life are not ashamed of getting children. I was so much scandalized, that I could hardly refrain from expostulating with them upon the subject.

I have not yet, I believe replied to a Letter of yours dated April 18th: it was written at Braintree,8 and I did not know how long you would continue there; this was one reason which has prevented me from writing; another has been a deficiency of subject. My time has been spent of late to very little purpose. Park's Insurance, Buller's Nisi-Prius and Blackstone have employ'd my few studious hours for two months past;9 and I have ventured to expose myself to imbibe opinions of infidelity by reading Hume's formidable essays; I have taken pleasure in the perusal; but I believe my religious principles will not suffer much from the catagion they contain.

The rest of my time has been but little diversified with Events. I have moved generally in one circle of company, and have had only a repetition of scenes which, however agreeable when they take place, would be very tedious in description.— We have had as a visitor for a month past, one of your fine Ladies, Miss K. Amory. I have been several times in company with her; and find her sensible and agreeable.10

The proximity of my departure from this place, has become an additional inducement to dissipation, and I shall henceforth scarcely look into a book. I feel very anxious to hear from Dr: Tufts upon the subject of an Office for me in Boston.— Never did I make an exchange in my situation with more unfavourable expectations.— Yet I believe it will be for the best— A firm determination to make the present a sacrifice to futurity is often the dictate of policy as well as of virtue

As to my being permitted as you say “to go about my business,”

I am ever affectionately your's,

your letter my Dear Brother of May 1st I received three or four weeks past1—just at the moment when I was removeing, and Commenceing, again Housekeeping it takes three or four weeks to settle our minds to new Situations—and domestick Concerns employ a Considerable portion of the attention of good Housekeepers—even if they are favoured with good Servants— thease causes must Constitute my appology to you for omitting untill this time to answer your letter—which has confirmed my oppinion of your prudence, discretion,—and caution, upon all subjects of importance, when the Heart is so deeply interested it sometimes blinds the eyes of reason, and judgment,— I should indeed be very sorry that a first impression—of partiallity and attachment—and that excited by so amiable and deserving an object—should meet eventually with any efacement,—from Mercenary views—or be repulsed by too wise maxims of Prudence— from Charles account of the Lady who has had the Honour to have inspired you with a favourable opinion of the Sex—you may Worship without Idolitary—for he asserts that there is nothing so like perfection, in Human shape appeard since the World began (—and I presume would add the remainder) but to have done for 69the present with the subject of attachments and to turn our attention to one in which you and myself are some what interested—I mean the question of removeall of Congress to Philadelphia—which is to be decided in Senate in the Course of the week and which you will doubtless hear has passed the House in favour of that City—it is Supposed that the Senate will be equally divided—and that the V P—— will decide the question and I can tell you it will be in favour of going to Phi—— and I presume to add from a mistaken opinion respecting some certains matters things, oppinions, and influential, Characters.2 it will be a disadvantage to Charles to be changeing his office—and particularly as he has become very steady and attentive to his Studies and is very happy in his circle of acquaintance here— but private interest we are taught to beleive should be sacrifised at the alter of Publick good— how they are in this instance Connected I do not see—for it is a Bargain as much as if such a sum was stipulated for the removeall. I mean with the magority—

june 16th—

Mr Charles Storer has arrived here within a few days and sets out tomorrow for Boston by him I shall forward this— the weather has been so warm the week past that it has not been in my Power to Coppy my Letter— you must excuse it— I hope to hear from you frequently—and be assured I am at all times your very sincere friend and Sister