[dateline] Boston July 16 1773
[salute] Madam
The kind reception I met with at your House, and the Hospitality with which you entertained
me, demands my gratefull acknowledgment. By requesting a correspondence you have kindly
given me an opportunity to thank you for the happy Hours I enjoyed whilst at your
House. Thus imbolden'd I venture to stretch my pinions, and tho like the timorous
Bird I fail in the attempt and tumble to the ground yet sure the Effort is laudable,
nor will I suffer my pride, (which is greatly increased since my more intimate acquaintance
with you) to debar me the pleasure, and improvement I promise myself from this correspondence
tho I suffer by the comparison.
I Had a very Hot and unplesent ride the afternoon I left your House. I arrived at
my own habitation on Monday, and found my family well. Since my return we have had
several fine showers which have, I hope extended, as far as Eel river, and watered
with their blessings every sod and plant belonging to my much valued Friends. Air,
Sun, and Water, the common blessings of Heaven; we receive as our just due, and too
seldom acknowledg our obligations to the Father of the rain; and the Gracious dispencer
of every good and perfect gift, yet if but for a very little while these blessings
are withheld, or spairingly dealt out to us, we then soon discover how weak, how little
and how blind, we are.
When I was at Plymouth Madam you may remember I mentiond
{ 85 } Mrs. Seymore upon Education,
1 and upon your expressing a desire to see it, I promised to send it you. I now take
the earlyest opportunity to comply with your request. Not from an opinion that you
stand in need of such an assistant, but that you may give me your Sentiments upon
this Book, and tell me whether it corresponds with the plan you have prescribed to
yourself and in which you have so happily succeeded. I am sensible I have an important
trust committed to me; and tho I feel my self very uneaquel to it, tis still incumbent
upon me to discharge it in the best manner I am capable of. I was really so well pleased
with your little offspring, that I must beg the favour of you to communicate to me
the happy Art of “rearing the tender thought, teaching the young Idea how to shoot,
and pouring fresh instruction o'er the Mind.” May the Natural Benevolence of your
Heart,
prompt you to assist a young and almost inexperienced Mother in this Arduous Buisness,
that the tender twigs alloted to my care, may be so cultivated as to do honour to
their parents and prove blessing
[s] to the riseing generation. When I saw the happy fruits of your attention in your
well ordered family, I felt a Sort of Emulation glowing in my Bosom, to imitate the
“Parent who vast pleasure find's
In forming of her childrens minds
In midst of whom with vast delight
She passes many a winters Night
Mingles in every play to find
What Bias Nature gave the mind
Resolving thence to take her aim
To guide them to the realms of fame
And wisely make those realms the way
To those of everlasting day.
Each Boisterous passion to controul
And early Humanize the Soul
In simple tales beside the fire,
The noblest Notions to inspire.
Her offspring conscious of her care
Transported hang around her chair.”
I must beg your pardon for thus detaining you. I have so long neglected my pen that
I am conscious I shall make but a poor figure. To your Friendship and candour I commit
this, and would only add my regards to Coll. Warren from his and your obliged Friend
& Humble Servant,