Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 1
I recd. yr. hierogliphical Epistles, & unravell'd it not because my Knack is so penetrating, but the Mistery So superficial; but I am not Sensible that to be vers'd in Hierogliphicks is Necessary for any but An Egyptian Divine: unless Metaphorically applied to a Christian it may teach him to explore the hidden Wickedness of modern Sinners, however disguis'd with crooked florishes or any external Ornaments. I am surpriz'd you shoud desire me to Communicate to you Any thing from266the dark & cloudy Gulph of Witchcraft. I thought yr. Persuits for Knowledge were of a nobler Nature to consult Magic & never guess'd you had the least Pretensions to the black Art however in the Charecter of a Lay-Man you must expect no Intelligence from else where; Nor Am I less Surpriz'd that you should apply to me for the definition of a Science, wch. by yr. Application one would have thought you the Master off, for you say you want the Mistical Meaning of the Song of Songs, & a Mistery it is that the Sons of Science, the Souls of Reason, yea the very reputed for Wisdom, should be Enslaved, & confind to the enervating, Unmanning & Reason confounding Study of either the practice or even the Theory of Love, but if I in any shape meet with Any thing worthy yr. perusal I shall present it as I do this as a pledge of the Unaffected Respects & Friendship of yr. Willing Serv.,
Investiganti Appollonis non nomen, Sed Applicanti.2
RTP notes in his diary on this day that he wrote to "S:Q:." In the evening of that day he went from Lancaster to Groton.
To him not investigating the name of Apollo but applying it.
Not long since I had the Honor of your Epistle from Confusion City, and tho' clouded with the metaphorical Disguise of "crooked Flourishes & external Ornaments," had the Satisfaction of discourvering the Sense of it unassisted by any Damon, or his infernal Arts. Passing by some trivial Reveries of a confus'd Brain, occasion'd I Suppose by your Situation, the Performance in my Opinion bespeaks it's Author, of a Soul warm'd with benign Philanthropy, a Mind the Repository of noble Ideas, a Fancy ever on the Wing, & an open Frankness in the Communication of his Sentiments to his Friends.
It was with pleasure & the most ardent Emotion of Soul I found you so luxuriantly lavish in your praises of the invigorating & Soul-inspiring Passion LOVE! which while it evidences a manly generous Spirit, at the same267time convinces us that you are sensibly touch'd with all the endearing Delicacies of Female-Tenderness. It is this Passion my Friend! when under the influence & Banner of Reason, from whence result the most exalted Pleasures we are capable of tasting on this side Heav'n. It This, is the bond & Union of Society, & for that reason ought to be cultivated & indulg'd by ev'ry Member of the Universe. Was it our Duty totally to disregard & neglect it, it is not propable the Diety wou'd Have implanted an Impulse in Nature, that is so strongly felt throughout all Existance, & in particular so forcibly biasses Mankind. Were it not pregnant with Delight & unbounded in it's Transports, is it possible, "The Sons of Science; the Souls of Reason; yea the very reputed for Wisdom; shou'd have been the most strenuous Advocates for it, and so unbounded in their Encomiums!last Favor.
The wisest of Mortals, that ever visited this Globe, ardently improv'd this gentle Flame; acknowledg'd it the Source of most exquisite Delight; and in it, with his death Saphira fondly bath'd his Soul! And from you, my Friend! (to come nearer home) we are taught the tenderest Sentiments, enraptur'd with your mellifluous Descriptions of a Rosalia, or Sebastiana.
Of all the innumerable Passions that storm the human Breast, This (tho' the most tender & delicate) yet is generally the strongest & most predominant; it envellops, and makes the rest subservient to its Pow'r & Influence. There is no Rank or Order of Men, but what rather encourage & foster it up, than let it lie dormant & unimprov'd; & methinks the Reason is obvious; For it is This alone, by which universal Nature subsists. It is This that ennobles & refines our Thoughts; gives a taste & relish to Joy; makes ev'n the disconsolate of Sorrow placid & Serene; and in a manner animates our very Being and shou'd it sometimes be intermix'd with a few pains and Anxieties, they serve but to give a keener Edge to its pleasures. But tho' it may be equally vigorus in Men of all Stations & Degrees, yet Those of the most ingenious & polish'd Minds, have vastly the Advantage of the illiterate, grov'ling Vulgar. In These, it is little more than a few superficial flashes, extinguish'd in the gratification of an impetuous sensual Appetite; like the airy Bubbles on the surface of the Ocean, that burst with the first puff of Wind. But in Those, having Reason and Discretion for it's Basis, it inspires every thing that is noble and generous; every thing that adorns & sweetens Life, and improving Virtue, Sense, & Elegance, adds ev'n a new Grace and Dignity to itself.
Shou'd it be eras'd from the Soul, Wher then wou'd be the Happiness & pleasures of Friendship? Where the benevolent & mutual Assistance thro' the Perplexities of the World? And Where the tender Care & Concern for a smiling offspring? Our Enjoyments wou'd soon grow languid & tasteless; Our Senses flat & enervate. Nature wou'd be rob'd of its Delights, & Life itself be an uncomfortable Burthen.
But least I exceed the bounds of an Epistle I shall gladly leave your lively Fancy to supply whatever is deficient in this limited Performance. And be assur'd I shall never cultivate this Passion, for which I'm so warm an Advocate, with chearfulness and Alacrity than I shall your Friendship; But with the utmost Pleasure constantly subscribe myself, Your sincere Friend & Well-Wisher
P:S: Gratia, Gratiam parit.2
Quotation not identified.
Kindness produces kindness.