Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 1
It was not without some Commotions in my Mind mixed with a Surprizing Satisfaction that I read your's of the 20th instant1 wherein you Treat a Subject which is of the Utmost Importance to all (tho' Vulgarly little thought of) with such a Spirit of Candor and Air of Seriousness as Discovers at least that your thoughts of Death are not Transhent and Superficial but real & of the last Importance in order for 38your Eternal happy Existance, after Death that King of Terrors shall have seized your Vital breath & laid your Claey Tabernacle in the Dark & Silent grave.
And indeed Sr. your letter was not less agreeable than unexpected and the more so by reason of some indispositions of body which lead me to a Consideration of the insatisfactiory Nature of all things below the Œtherial Sky.
And kind Sr., as I am ambitious of the Character of a True Friend in respect to you so I would be carefull at all times to Deserve it: and Would Advise Æqually myself as you to Engrave this as a mottoe upon the whole of our Concerns, Memento Mortis, for by a frequent and Serious Consideration of Death it will loose it's Terrifying aspect and become Easy and familar.
I am considerably indisposed by reason of a bad Cold—but better than I was—there is nothing at College very remarkable or Worthy the relating at present Save Williams Senr.2 is under Some remarkable concern of mind.
These Sr. presenting my Sincere regards as well to yourself as also to your Sisters &c. are in the greatest hurry from your Sincere tho' Unworthy Friend and Servt.,
P.S. I confide in your generosity to over look whatsoever is amiss.
Not located.
William Williams (1730/1–1811), the senior of the two Williamses admitted that month with the Class of 1751. After graduation Williams returned to his native Connecticut where he became a legislator and public official. He was a member of the First Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence (DAB; Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 13:163–174).
Love nott Sleep least thou come to poverty Pro: 20: 13 &c.
Nature the Liberall indulger of us & all the Universe has taken care to Order the Succession & alternate Revolution of Day & Night of Sleeping time & times for Waking so as that our week & frail Bodies should neither be two much stupify'd & clogg'd with the 39One nor yet two much Raryfy'd (if I may so say) with the other, & she has hereby laid out a Rule for our Conduct in this respect & is nott she who is in fact part of our selves a proper Judge & Rule for our Conduct, but besides the Dictates of Nature we have the express Command in the Sacred Writt and yett more, for it greatly conduces to our health & nott only so but what can be more pleasant than to see the Sun that Emblem of Diligence but beginning to run his race & we to reflect within our own self I've begun mine already, wt. more delicious than to hear the feather'd innocents Warbling their Notes & beggining their Day wth. praise, when Nature seems serene and gay when Aurora arises with her Saffron Mantle blushing that she has lain so long? Can our own Bodies att any time be found more fitt for the Exercises it was first adapted too & design'd for, & yet in despite of all these reasons & perswasions shall we spend our time in Bed & slumber till high noon in down. Shall nott we begin our hours of Sleep sooner that so we may be afore the very Sun in our Labours, that so by exerciseing our witts att that time they are most sagacious, & begginning our Bodily Work soon & continue it leasurely & moderately we may become poor neither in Witt, Wealth, nor Flesh. Accept dear Eunice these few undigested but sincere Lines from him who would perswade you to lay yr. hands to the Spindle & wth. your Arms to hold the distaff, to make fine linnen & to work hancerchifs apace, to look well to yr. ways & to eat not the Bread of Idleness; to rise while it is yett Night & give a portion to yr. Witt & a Task to yr. Understanding, to open yr. mouth with Wisdom & in yr. Tongue lett be the law of Kindness,