If I have failed in my duty untill now, I will differe no longer from emploring my pardon for my neglegence, and to shew you at the same time the sentiments of my perfect remembrance of the many politeness you and your good family have always shown me; and of the perfect esteem, with which I profess myself. I cannot however differe any longer having heard that your husband and family quits England for America very soon. I recieved also the news that my father, and mother thank God are safely arrived in Virginia which has greatly comforted me and sofetened the sorrow which there departure caused me being under continual fears and happrehentions for them. I am sure you will continue us your friendship recommending to you my parents to whom your, and your husbands influence may be of infinite use to and which I shall ever remember with gratidude. I flatter myself that it would not be disagreable If I should give you a short detail of my present situation. I was surprised on arriving at my husbands house, the manner in which I was recieved by all his relations and friends the number of which are very great so that my house was a whole month in a continual bustle from the visits which I did nothing else but recieve morning and evening.1 His palace is magnaficent and furnished expensively, servants in proportion and horses to the number of 6 for common use. besides that an oppen table so that with that respect I cannot be more contented I have only to reproach myself of my not deserving such a fortune. But what is still better is my husband is of the very first Nobility, he bares also great for the qualities of his understanding and the goodness of his heart. His attachment to me is always the same, and you cannot imagin but that my affection for him is very great. I am just on point of lying in and by the time you recieve this to be safely broght-abed.2 I thank God have passed my pregency perfectly well. I took the libirty to give you an account of my situation being sure that your goodness would interess yourself in my wellfare. and haveing perhaps an occation of seeing my parents you may comfort them by giving them an account of my happy situation. My Husband joins with me in best compliments to Mr: Adams, and Mr: and Mrs: Smith, preserving me your friendship and disposing of me in all occations—

I am. / dear Madam. / Your obliged and / humble servant

I am much pleased with your Oration and much obliged to you for it. it seems to me, making allowance for a fathers Partiality, to be full of manly Sense and Spirit. By the Sentiments and Principles in that oration, I hope you will live and die, and if you do I dont care a farthing how many are preferred to you, for Style Elegance and Mellifluence.

To Vattel and Burlamaqui, whom you Say you have read you must Add, Grotius and Puffendorf and Heineccius, and besides this you should have some Volume of Ethicks constantly on your Table.1 Morals, my Boy, Morals should be as they are eternal in their nature, the everlasting object of your Pursuit. Socrates and Plato, Cicero and Seneca, Butler and Hutchinson, as well as the Prophets Evangelists and Apostles should be your continual Teachers.2

But let me advise you, in another Art, I mean oratory, not to content yourself with Blair and Sherridan, but to read Cicero and Quintilian.—and to read them with a Dictionary Grammar and Pen and Ink, for Juvenal is very right

Preserve your Latin and Greek like the Apple of your Eye.

When you Attend the Superiour Court, carry always your Pen and Ink & Paper and take Notes of every Dictum, every Point and every Authority. But remember to show the same respect to the Judges and Lawyers who are established in Practice before you, as you resolved to show the President Tutors Professors, and Masters and Batchelors at Colledge.

Mr Parsons your Master is a great Lawyer and should be your oracle.

But you have now an intercourse with his Clients, whom it is your Duty to treat with Kindness, Modesty and Civility, and to 220whose Rights and Interests you ought to have an inviolable Attachment. Mr Parsons's honour, reputation and Interest Should be as dear to you, as your own.

I hope to see you in May; Meantime I am / with the tenderest affection your Father