Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 1
Scarce had I heard the news, news truly grievous of your Losing Vitæ, tuæ, & Viæ directo ac2 before I received your Letter wch. contributed much Joy & Satisfaction. O Unhappy me, that I should be instrumentall in any measure of causing the said Disaster, certe non voluntè.3 Had you laboured under the dreadfull pain of a Boyl just arrived to ripeness & standing in need of Evacuation, you might have supposed my designs to have been for your Comfort. But—If you had taken out your tellescope you might easily have discovered those mountains you100attack'd, and most agreeably have trodden the beaten road via trita semper tuta.4 Well for you, that you looked for your Dilectum before Apollo 'Woke for he had laugh'd to 'seen how Luna had deceived you. But that you may have more comfort the next time you travell that Road I promise you, that I will putt on my Square toe'd Shoes and beat down every Hillock in the Road from Stem to Steam. Excuse shortness of Letter and every imperfection being in the midst of Study and Contemplation but now and att all times remaining your assured Friend And most humbl. Servant
Beloved friend.
Your life and way directly.
Surely they do not want.
The worn path is always safe.
Henry the Second, knight.
Whimsical attributions to RTP's prominence as Doctor of Pedagogy (Pd.D.) and Fellow of the Royal Society (F.R.S.).
These may inform you of the safe arrival of all your kind Letters except one unless You have wrote one since the 2h instant wc. I have received with the enclosed an answer to one of which I send enclosed in this1 Desiring you to reiterate your kindness in superscribing it to Mr. Freeman for I am ignorant of where he lives, post revolutionem peractam quae majore forsan me afficitur mæroræ quamte cum tanta et tam praeclara est tua animi magnatudo et constatia.2 My Friend I long to see & converse with you but must be excused from ballancing accounts till spring; perhaps I may pay you the interest shortly. I would visit you immediately but I am stationed in the parish where A horse is to be had nec amore nec Numma.3 I should be glad if you can find in your heart to Trust me Almost a Bankrupt one visit more and I'll endeavour to pay you honestly for honesty is the best policy peace & quietness is the best. I Board at the Revd. Jos. Emerson.4 I have great reason to enveigh against101Algebra as an ice natured unkind Science since it has deprived me of the product of your otherwise most noble genus De schola delectabili5 &c. I shall Leave to oral Conversation whenever that pleasing moment shall revele; only in general
Tu facies faciem venebis cum veneris ante
ne sedeas sed eas ne peras pereas.6 Hoever this is far from being my case, for I am a professd admirer &c. &c.
Our Lecture at groton old Town will be Tomorrow come 4: weeks at which time I should be glad to see you at which time perhaps we may be happy in conversation sine eundo ad Diversorium7 but I should be glad of an earlier visit if possible & if possible I will convoy you tam Longe quam oppidum.8 Send my humble service home to yours &c as often and according to Discretion. I have Just room left to give you thanks for your friendship manifest when at home and to Tell you that I am yr. humble Sevt.
None located.
After the revolution was completed which perhaps afflicts me with greater sorrows than you, since so great and so distinguished is your magnitude and constancy of mind.
Neither by love nor money.
Joseph Emerson (1724–1775), first minister of the First Congregational Parish of Pepperell (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 11:217–20).
Type of delightful school.
You will make the appearance of love before; don't sit but go, lest through them you perish.
Without going to an inn.
As far as town.