Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
You greiviously disappointed me in not affording one hour out of the Joys of Commencment to rejoyce my lonely heart. I'm here in the State which Adam was in When Every living thing was muster'd before him, a Beautifull Scene no doubt; but no Companion to Enjoy the pleasure with. You know the world well Eno' to feel the propriety of the411Similitude. I durst not Indulge myself on the Subject. All I have to wish is a mate here for tis a delightfull Situation. My Chamber looks on to the Great bridge and from windows 3 ways Ive a prospect of the country around me. Tis called 1/2 a mile to the Bath, a pleasant walk which I take twice a day, by Sun rise before these heavy rains but now tis too wet to go till Nine or ten oclock and again before Tea. Im order'd small Draughts which as yet have no great operation but to Sweat me heartily it Ruffles my stomack Sometimes but has not removed the Grating Pain Im troubled with, nor relieve'd the Disorder in my head which affects my Eyes but I drink in hope tho' very disagreeable. I must Show myself to the Doct. before I venture to Bathe. Ive urgent invitations to Salem. Thither I intend to go when Ive Proved the Effacacy of the waters here and if the Docr. Continues to urge it, try hard for a trip to Stafford1 in September. The Philosophy you recommend is my only Support, my spirits must have fail'd Ere now if I attended only to the present Circumstance, for my Inclination is almost forever thwarted and acquiessence is the only method to maintain my tranquility.
Augst. 7th. I flatter myself that you are anxious to hear from me, to know the Success of the waters. You see be the above I began to write soon after the receit of yours.2 I had a bad pen but you can read any thing. I went to Town this Day week in great Distress at my stomach & head the old spasms; Sprague gave me a medicine that was to releive me and then I was to plunge. It did and Ive been in once, but the difficulty has return'd and now I durst not venture till I see him so must go tomorrow I beleive. He insists on my riding mean time but tis so chargable here that I use walking in Stead, 3 mile a Day for most part. I certainly grow better, tho' this Convulsive disorder tears me sadly. It would save me much Concern if I could see the Doct. at any time at Stafford I Shou'd have been worse of so I dont Know but its best to be here. I have hopes this may be conquer'd in time and that I may go in without fear. I shall take this to town and Leave it for Conveyance.
Augst. 16th. Continued rains have prevented my going to Town. Ive drank the water more freely and found benefit. Plung'd again this morng. and now hope to be able to repeat it without the distress I suffer'd before. Im to go to Town tomorrow and will forward this line in hopes to gratify you tho' it is not the Epistle my heart is Ever inditing to you.3 Compliments to all Enquiring freinds from your Ever mindfull No. I forgot what—but think tis 4.
Stafford Springs, Conn., was a mineral waters spa which was first developed in 1765. In May 1767 a direct stage route from Boston was established and dramatically increased the patronage. The Paines' cousin, Rev. John Willard (1733–1807) was the minister of Stafford and often took paying guests into his home when they arrived for the cure. His son, Dr. Samuel Willard (1766–1820), opened a hotel there in 1803 to accomodate patrons of the spa. See Donald Yacovone, "A New England Bath: The Nation's First Resort at Stafford Springs," Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin 41(1976): 1–11.
Letter not located.
RTP noted in his diary for Aug. 29: "PM to Watertown to see Eunice went with her to Newton Spring & returned to Boston."