Given at Boston in New England On the seventh day of March A.D. 1760 To Master Antonius Emanuel de Sylva Respected Sir,1

That sweet memory which always brings itself back to my mind urgest me immediately to take advantage of this opportunity of transmitting a letter to you. An occasion an interval separates affections joined only by a bond of occasion, and novelty will destroy the love of companions which is founded only on novelty. Nevertheless there endures friendship which, united by the same source everywhere indissoluble diverges but is broken in no way Thus rays of light converge in the sun, and thus men, in a mirror aptly placed may see one another although walls interevene.

That through this mirror permit yourself to realize I see on all sides your most Christian benevolence and sweetness of spirit, particular excellencies. Indeed the image of your most charming person is reflected, as by a mirror, to my spirit.

Master Webster, through whom I intend to send this letter, has made me understand that you frequently remember me. O how pleasant and sweet is concord of minds and mutual reminiscence now cut off by the ocean. Yet this memory may stimulate anxiety and, alternately stir up ardor for knowing your fortunes.

For myself, I confess that my spirit is extremely tortured when first, how many years past I do not remember, Report brought to my ears that Fayal had been destroyed by an earthquake. I instantly recalled you and other friends to be lamented. Caught up by imagination, I sought you and others among the ruins. It seemed that I saw you, Father Pascælis, Antonius Victoraialis de Sousa, and the most pleasing most dear Hieronyma buried by the ruins of buildings. Alas, who might refrain from tears! Praise be to God, who in Judgment was mindful of Mercy and who checked my grief with milder messages, namely that Fayal remains and that you until now are surviving.

However, except for you, Sir, I know of no other allied friend but to you this is known. Therefore I beseech you to pay this debt to friendship, that to the friend whose names I listed and to as many others whose names I have forgotten, you may present love and every benefit in my name; may they hold me excused for not having written individually for180the above mentioned reason, which reason does not justify that they should not bestow the favor of a letter on me, especially if until now which may God grant, she survives among you I owuld wish you for her or my gratification to provide respect and most pleasant remembrance of Hieronima Sebastiana de Asu, that most excellent Lady, who, having left behind the world and its pleasures passes a life consecrated in a monastery to religion and devotion. And I beseech you at the next opportunity to inform me about yourself, about her, and about all for that personally and you all are well I learn with joy. If among you I am worth such a price, that you should desire to know my fortune, know that I exist pleasantly, unmarried state a bachelor, by profession a lawyer, not eager for wealth, devoted to the muses, entranced by being alone, of mediocre health, and universally mindful of friends, and if until now it remains; reminding myself of you, Distinguished Master, with the greatest good will and remembrance.

Hail, Sir, and may you live and while we are held in this slight jail may we be well and may we love each other, and may you long flourish in the felicities of this world of this life, and, since you will never lack another far more outstanding, recognize by your clarity of mind the errors of this assignment or its meanings and perceive? with the highest observance and gratitude.

your servant and a mind laden with many honors

R. T. PAINE

Dft ; addressed: "Ad Dom Rev Antoni. Eman. de Sylva."

1.

During his visit to Fayal in the Azores in Sept. 1753, RTP noted in his diary visits to various religious establishments and to priests and nuns. On the 20th he noted that he "visited Manuel Antonio de Sylva an infirm Priest"; and on the 22nd perhaps referred to the same individual in the entry: "Dind with Antonio Manuel de Sylva."