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

RC ; addressed: "To Miss Eunice Paine living att Boston"; endorsed.

270 1.

Not located.

2.

RTP's diary indicates that he was in Worcester on May 13 to 22, attending sessions of the inferior court and visiting friends.

Boston May 10th. 1755 Dear Sr.,

I'm vastly obliged to you for your most Ingenuous Letter1 (in answer to my last) which was, I dare say it, without a fault and intirely Consistant with the Strictest rules of Grammer and Logick nor did it want Embelishing, for more Rhetorick would have Spoiled it: and I think it quite Impossible for the most penetrating Critic to find a single fault wth. it, the Subject being the Solution of the following riddle.

Before creating Nature will'd That Atoms into form should Jarr, By me the boundless space well fill'd From me was built the first made star For me a Saint will break his word By the proud atheist I'm revered At me the Coward draws his Sword And by the Hero I am fear'd Scorn'd by the meek and humble mind Yet often by the Vain possest Heard by the deaf seen by the blind And to the Troubled Conscience rest Than Wisdoms Sacred self I'm wiser And yet by Every block-head known I'm freely given by the miser Kept by the prodigal alone The K----2 God bless him as 'tis said At me sometimes is in a passion Yet even him I can perswade To Act against his Inclination As Vice deform'd as Vertue fair The Courtiers loss, the Patriots gain The poets curse the Coxcombs care Read and you have it for your pains. 271

I shall conclude by ading the Solution.3 & Subscribing myself yr. Lovg. brother,

JOS. GREENLEAF

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robt. Treat Paine att Lancaster. To be left at Capt. Abijah Willards"; endorsed.

1.

Not located.

2.

King.

3.

Not given.