Boston June 17. 1757 My dear Sally,

We have long expected yr. return with great Impatience and having An Unexpected Opportunity I once more send my warmest desires that you would no longer keep me in Suspence. Yet I entertain some small hopes of being bless'd with yr. Company 'ere this can reach you. I should not readily forgive yr. Unkind Delay both of writing & returning were it not that I can easily realise call to mind the great Satisfaction we take in the respects & Curtiseys we recieve abroad. Novelty & Curiosity engages every one I doubt not you will return laden with a variety of Entertainments, my Mind almost Anticipates the Joy, & I fancy you reciting over some of yr. most agreable Interviews & Romantic Scenes of Gallantry, but dear Sally remember your good old Freinds. I am Now in Town on the melancolly Occasion of Uncle Jackson's Funrell; alas my dear, Death is the king of terrors, & we have a strong report here that you are abt. marrying, but I cant think you will serve a body so, I got a thousand things to say to you but must leave them till we meet being too many & too peculiar to write. And for the present accept my sincere Love, in which I doubt not Sister Esther would join if she knew of this Opportunity. I herewith send you my heart dear Sally bring it back with you for I cant spare it long least I should have Occasion for it here. So I remain after Love & kind compliments to all Freinds yr. Loving Sister,

RTP

Dft ; addressed: "Letter from one sister to another 1757;" endorsed in RTP's hand : "Mock Letter to a Lady." An undeciphered page in shorthand is attached written on the verso of the following note from Abia Holbrook: "May 1, 1750. Sir, The Bearers were detained by yor. humble Servt. Abia Holbrook."

Boston June 17 1757 Dear Eunice,

I have Consulted Dr. Sprague about Lokyers Pills. He says he cant tell whether they are proper without knowing yr. Case, but he has no Objection against them as being Antimonial if taken in small Doses. 'Tis only Antimonial Vomits he disapproves.

41

I feell like sitting up Week. Boston has inconveniencys. I hope to see York soon, I think of nothing else being become more than ordinary barren. Yr. dry brother,

R . T. PAINE

Our Siah1 is in Town. I believe I must send him to court you. His infinite good humour will suit you to a Notch. You love just such a Man as I do a Woman, an easy good humoured Nothing.

I have consulted Mr. How2 abt. yr. Gown. He says he will look out. Siah wears a tall hat & Ruffles.

To The right honorable The Lady Eunice Dutchess of Weymouth and Mistress of the Nagg.

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

1.

Possibly a cousin, Josiah Willard (1734–1801), who was born in Lunenburg, Mass., and later lived in Keene, N.H. (Willard, Willard Genealogy, 128).

2.

RTP's account book indicates that he bought a wig from Joseph How on June 15, 1757.