Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
Chief of the happiness & business of this Life consists in taking Notice of Occurrencys & Accidents; I have nothing of very singular importance to say to you, but write chiefly to convince you I omitt no good Opportunity therefor. A very Odd Accident relating to a Letter I had prepared for you the other day to be sent by the same Opportunity gives birth to all the Philosophy of this. It was short & trifling & contained at most but half a Sentiment. Being called to a neighbouring Town early in the morning, as I passd I stoped at the Doctor's1 to bid 'em write, & also to seal my Epistle & leave it there to be sent to Mr. Fails for Conveyance by Mr. Goold. Wafers they had none. I applyed sealing Wax & not Cerimonious enough for a seal (let this Catastrophe teach us to reverence Ceremonys) I applyed the hot wax to the Tiles for Compressure, but alass it stuck fast, & in my haste to twitch it off I tore the Letter most hideously. The Glance of my Eye percieved the Ruin before my hand had stop'd the Motion of the twitch & with the same sweep I consigned it to the flames & Instantly, (leaving Betty2 convulsed with Laughter & the Doctr. & Wife carouzing the slumbers of Matrimonial Indolence) I persued my Journey with great regret for the above Impiety. However finding Mr. Goold not returned, I set out anew determined to seal this with all the Ceremony of my Lord Keeper. I should have visited you on my last Journey to Boston, but the riding, you remember the Riding. I have been to Barnstable & freinds there ask after you & are in usual health. I jogg on as usual, & intend to see you as soon as I can. Mean While, I hope yr. Welfare. Remember me to all freinds your Way. We begin to talk of alewives. How different this World appears in different views of it & yet to moralize signifys nothing, because it will affect only those who have the same apprehensions of things, & they don't need it. Therefore writing speculations avails not. Let everyone think for himself. This is a World of action & not thought. Blessed is he who thinks but little & thinks that little right. Old Testament folks spent their times in Trifles. We are all triflers, acting or thinking, Honesty, Health &249Money, a fig for every thing else says the Course of things. 'Tis time enough to learn to fly when we are turned to Birds but 'tis full time to leave off writing when the Brain is empty & the paper full. Yr. loving Brother
Dr. William McKinstry.
Elizabeth McKinstry (1736–1763), younger sister of Dr. McKinstry, was in the midst of a lengthy visit to Taunton from the family home in Connecticut. In June of this year she was murdered by her brother's slave Bristol (NEHGR 12[1858]: 322). See RTP to Eunice Paine, June 13, 1763.