Lancaster April 5th. 1756 Dear Eunice,

I have not heard from you since I saw you. I hope you find better Company or Employment. I fancy these pleasant days you Romp it merrily & are become a perfect Nymph. I wish in some of your raking frolicks you'd steer to Lancaster, for I sincerely long to see you. I rekon by this Time Miss Thea begins to give a loose to gay Pastime for the benifit of Health, & having found so good a Companion, you call it the best medicine that ever you took & I something scruple If you get well before Winter, Wo be to the Neighbourhood where you Live & to the luckless Lads that come within the Verge of yr. Roguery. But I beseech of you let's hear from you, & make me in some shape a partner in347yr. Happiness. I live a Life of continuall assiduity, high Health, flow of Spirits & perplexing hard Work. If I labour so hard when I've a Wife & 10 children hang me, but its implanted in my Nature you'll say, how can I help it? I talk of going to Hallifax speedily unless I alter my Mind, but I am enterd such a course of Studying, that I hate to rise. I shall be a confounded knowing fellow one of these days. Quære what good will it do me.

Remember me to all your Way. Tell Cranch (he's uppermost in my heart) I esteem him more my Freind than ever, for he being sensible that we cannot hope to spend many of our days together, kindly labours to wean my affections from that wch. I cannot hope to enjoy. This surely bespeaks the highest Generosity, but in Vain, for like a Love-Sick Virgin whose first affections are Rivetted, my thoughts trace him through the various Scenes of Life & my fancy presents him fresh tho' distant in Time & place. The Loadstone by disuse may forget to point out the Pole, but my Heart like the faithfull Dyall recives no alteration tho' the sun neglect to shine till it be quite forgotten. Present this to him (if you have access) & tell me if he be inexorable. There's My Freinds the Deacon & Family I remember sincerely; tell Dr. Tufts I think of him. That's more than I do of every torn. My Drawers are all wore out & I have nothing to make new of. Cant you spin me some. I recon it a proper use for yr. first beginning; I mean because I dont suppose you have made enough for any thing else.

No more at present. I remain your Lovg. Brother,

ROBERT-TREAT PAINE

RC ; addressed: "To Miss Eunice Paine at Weymouth These"; endorsed.