Lancaster May 9th. 1755
Dear Eunice,
Last Evning recd. yr. Letter.1 Am exceeding sorry to find you engag'd in such Meloncholly Circumstances of Health. Yr. serious & thoughtfull representation awakned all my Passions, & I thought I needed much of the Philosophy wch. you shew forth in yr. description.
It griev'd me to think that you should surmise the relation of yr. Troubles to be a Burthern to me. The Mind is eas'd by Unburthning & the sympathy of a Freind often alleviates the Weight. For my part I discard Freindship with those Persons that deny me my share of their Troubles as well as of their Joys, nor can I (If I know my soul) exert my self with equall Vigour for a Prosperous as for an Adversed Freind.
I have not been Unmindfull of you tho' I have done little to prove it. My circumstances in Life obliges me to apply close to my Secular Studies than my Inclination & my pleasure would choose. This close Engagement has forbidden my Judgment to be dress'd in the least Flight of269Fancy, or to make any Digressions from the Unsociable Study of Law. You'll easily excuse this attachmt. wn. you consider I have no other Prospect of Subsistence but the Labours of my Brain, & Necessity urges that my Gains should be speedy. However yr. present Circumstances rouses my Spirits from the most Stoical Lethargy; & were Ito express the tender sympathy of my soul, Volumns would not contain its adequate description. However I percieve by yr. Letter you want nothing that I can supply you with. There seems to be the soundest Judgment warm'd with livlyest Imagination, & there's no comfort in trouble can equall that wch. results for the calm thought of futurity. A real composedness seems to breath in every Expression while you describe yr. Prospect of speedy Dissolution, wch. gives me a Joy beyond the Encouragemt. of a Physitian. I think you not att all the nearer Death for havg. it so much on yr. Mind, but perhaps the farther off. True Thought of Death is its greatest Antidote, always as to its Effects, sometimes as to the reallity. There are Instances sufficient in Scriptures of those whose humiliation & repentance has saved them from the immediate prospect of Death. Afflictions are as the manure, & perhaps the greatest happiness we have in this World, especially wn. we consider the precarious Circumstances of continual prosperity. I doubt not but your feeble health has a long time kept you mindfull of that dissolution we must all 'ere long expect, & I hope yr. Thoughts are of a truer Nature than to admit any Gloom.
If my business & circumstances would admit I should come immediately to see you, for I fear you Suffer yr. Spirits to sink more than is consistent with your health. Next Week I must go to Worcester, where I shall tarry perhaps 8 or 10 days, to my great profit.2 I purpose to be Boston to Election: I should not have troubled you so much abt. my Jacket &c. but I have not things fit to appear in. However I am determ'd not to trouble you with Trifles. I have been to Groton this Week & find my self in as good health & spirits as is consistent with Study & I do not purpose you shall be Dull if I can contribute to raise yr. Spirits. If you have not sent S: Q:s Letter you may open it nicely, had I thought I would have sent it open.
Remember me to all enquiring Freinds & be assured I am continually yr. Loving Brother & affectionate Freind,
ROBERT-TREAT PAINE