Boston October 12th. 1758 Dear Eunice,

I have not heard directly from you since our return from Westward.1 Methinks by this time you have so nearly exhausted that fruitful Topic of conversation as to be able to afford a few minutes to write me yr. affairs. I have made repeated & diligent Enquiry after you but to no purpose. I hope 'tis owing to your high health that you are so unminful of me. For my part I have been exceeding poorly since my return. I had determined to go to Halifax but the Court is adjourn'd; wch.112will bring on the season so late as to make it uncomfortable to my relaxed Carcass; so I believe I shall defer it to spring, & mope away the Winter without the assistance of that health I hoped to gain by the Voyage. I have lost all the little relish I ever had for Company, & tho' the least able to bear it am now the most dispos'd to perpetual posing & recluse Speculations. I should have visited you last Saturday but had no conveyance. I have seen nothing of the Butcher, Burril. Pray write me wt. you have done abt. it, tho' I believe I must see him myself. Mrs. Putnam is delivered of a fine (no doubt) Boy. Mr. Paine is recovring; I am amazed at the connection, sentiment & good writing of this Epistle, undesigned too. I naturally am a clever fellow but the Law has play'd the De'll with me & I wish the De'll had it; I am sure this Letter deserves one of your best Answers especially wn. I add that I receive no Bodys Letters with more Expectation or read them with more Satisfaction than I do yrs. I have made 20 determinations one way & another relating to living this winter. I'm half crazy. O! for some Hermits Cell. I shall come to it by & by. My Complements, &c. &c. Yrs. as usual

R. T. PAINE

RC ; addressed: "To Mrs. Eunice Paine at Weymouth": endorsed.

1.

RTP and Eunice Paine left for Worcester on Sept. 20 and, after visiting Lancaster, returned to Boston on Sept. 28 according to his diary.

Weymouth October 13th 1758 Dear Brother,

I begin to fear you'll Charge me with neglect in not writing to you by Mr. Burrel. He was gone to Albany when I first came home & a tedious Cold & bad weather has kept me in till yesterday. For some time I have not been sick at Least but sore throat & Cough is very troublesome. I've been so hearty since I came home I fear a scarcity. Puddin & Potatoes Stand no chance. I went to Mrs. Goold's to know abt. going to Taunton & she tells me Mrs. Smith has offer'd to go with her & if she continues of the mind I'm cut out but I'm to know certain next week. If I Dont go with her Mrs. White & I set out for Newtown Chesnuting.

I suppose you heard I found a Companion for the road as far as Braintree when I left Boston; & Lodg'd that night at Billings our tackling having113 Broke & Belated us. My unexpect'd Lark made a rare Diversion.—Why surely! say Braintree folk, she Wont have him—Oh Dear the surprising relish some people have for Novelty. I want to hear from you. Hope you are better. I design to carry this to Mr. Burrel & get him to Bring it to you that you may acquaint yr. self with his haunts. I hear nothing Worthy of writing. So adeiu. Let me hear from you by the Bearer. Yrs. &c

E. PAINE

RC ; addressed: "For Mr. Robert Treat Paine at boston near the Mill-Bridge"; endorsed.