(seq. 15)

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[fol. 2v]

highly interests me. I fear, you think me too hasty on a subject of
such vast importance, considering the uncertainty of my prospects. This last
circumstance, I confess, weighed in my mind. But when I considered the
danger of losing a "kindred soul," my affection prevailed over my diffidence,
and I was led, with the sincerity of a true lover, to ----------------a declaration.
Don't laugh at my frankness. To you I feel safe in committing my most
confidential affairs. The rather, as I have indubitable evidence of your
friendshipy, and flattering hopes, that you will indulge me with the
same freedom. This object of my undivided ----------- lives at M. 20
miles to the Westward of my native place. Last fall, she attended the
Academy. I had been informed by some good friends, that she was a fine
young lady. This made but a faint impression on my mind, as I had
determined not to offer my hand to any lady, till I could point to
my situation. As her excellencies are those of the mind, it was four or
five weeks, before I distinguished her from the other young ladies, who
attended my school. I, indeed was pleased with her progress in study;
but no opportunity of forming an intimate acquaintance with her present-
ed, till, finding her anxious to visit a sister, with whom I was well acquain-
ed, I offered myself as a gallant. (This might appear singular to you,
were you not informed, that it is common for ladies 15 to 25 years
of age to attend this Academy; and we frequently find them the best
companions for our leisure hours.) In this visit I found; she was ev-
ery thing, that is agreeable. After this no opportunity was omitted to
find out her disposition & character. Being assured of her excellence, I
procceded, as above mentioned. I will give you a few particulars of her.
She posses a soul, formed for religion, tho far from being inclined to gloom-
iness. To this good quality is joined an exquisite sensibility, which lead
to participate the joys, and sorrows of her acquaintance. She discovered
this disposition in a stricking manner, while at the Academy, which endear-
ed her to the people in town. A neighboring domestic was taken sick
with a dangerous fever, and lay on a deathbed at a distance from
all her relations. This young lady was so moved at her situation, that
she almost constantly atttended her, till her death, and appeared as
much grieved for , tho a stranger, as if she had been her sister. I
could write you many pages more on this subject. but I cannot per-
suade myself, that it would be as agreeable to you, as pleasing to me.
If you wish to hear any thing more respecting her, you will find me
sufficiently verbose at our interview.

[fol. 2r]

I rejoice to find you so well disposed to E. You say, " I wish only
"to be satisfied that she has a soul for religion and a heart for me."
I will almost assure you, that she professes both these qualifications; and I
shall construe your intimation of repeating a visit to D. as a promise to
go & examine for yourself. I have not heard from my friends at D. since
I left them; but I shall expect to hear by the very first intelligence, that
the mercantile bean is left to seek a mate among his kindred butter-
flies. It appears to me, as to the article of religion, you can never find a
family better disposed. I was exceedingly pleased to hear their encomi-
ums upon the clerical order, when I was last at D. Were they less
sincere, I should almost have suspected them of flattery. I think it a
great proof of the Eq's sincerity; that he always counts the society of
the clergy, and invites such numbers to visit him. O! 'Biel, you
can't imagine how happy I should be, could the bonds of our friend-
ship be more closely still allied by your connextion with Miss E!
Could you have observed the pleasure visable in her contenance,
when I read your letter, and the avidity with which she swallow-
ed every syllable, you would not have indulged the idea, that "it [ ]la-
[...]ed" you" in a point of light neither advantageous nor just."[...]
[...] real in the cause, and, however ridiculous it makes me [...]
[...]pute it to the purest motives.

Next Wednesday is your ordination! May you be su[ ]ed
on this solemn occasion, and may the reflection, that you are set
over a people so happily united make your duty your delight.
Write me, the very next day, every particular of the ordination, and
you will lay me under indispensable obligations. I thank you kindly
for your invitation to attend. It would make me too happy. After
Commencement I shall be free from the shackles of a school. I antic-
ipate great pleasure in seeing you with my other friends at Camb.
and depend on you accompanying me to D.

You will gratify me so much as to allow, that, this is a dull,
unconnected letter. I do not think apologies necessary among friends;
but if I did not think this even worse than my letter in general,
I should not say, that it was written by scraps, partly in school, and
was interrupted by an unusual flow of avocations. But
"A friend will bear a friend's infimities."
That every happiness may be your's both in public and do-
mestic life is the fervent prayer of your affectionate Philos.

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