(seq. 48)

[fol. 2v]

virtue, taste, & I had almost said, every human
accomplishment; it is my dismal lot to lead a
life of solitude & laborious employment with-
out a female friend at hand to sweeten toil
& cheer my depressed spirits. But be the in-
convience ever so great, I am determined nev-
er to marry ------- till I have paid my
debt, (I can hardly say debts,) procured a good
library, & have something beforehand. But I
spare you. All this is an old story.

Respecting a singing - master, I have to
say, that I have attended punctially to you[...]
requests, & conversed with your kindsman Abbot[...]
on the subject. I am sorry to add, that we know
of no one, who would answer your purpose. All
we can say is, if you can get your school into
a state of forwardness, (as you seem to think
is probable,) by some of your own fingers, your
cousin will do what he can for you in the
spring vacation.

We have more peaceable times at Col-
lege, than I ever knew. The chapel is quiet.
The hall is decent. Disorders are almost un-
known. I have not been once raised this
quarter. Inded, we have had a melancholy
times. Three of our number have been
taken from us by death. Others have been
dangerously sick. These circumstances appear,

[fol.2r]

&, well they may, to make considerable
impresion on the minds of the students.
White, whom we met at Mr Allen's of
Bradford, delievered the best oration on his
classmate's death, I ever heard on the oc-
casion. This is a unanimous opinion. We
have been under the disagreeable necessity
of refusing the Seniors liberty to keep school.
This occasions some inward murmurs;
but no open rupture. They have contest-
ed long enough; & will perhaps find it for
their interest to comply with the laws.
You doubtless heard of brother Hedge's [ ]
It is hushed up. The person suspe[ ]
for insulting him, has returned & this
day passed an excellent examination.
Jewett, whose posteriors were a little wound-
ed, has taken a trip into the country, for
a few months, to heal them.

Excuse my not writing a longer letter,
on better paper, in a more elegant style
& a legiable hand. Want of time, and excuse
for everything, is my only apology. So
many Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New-
years sermons leave me but short in-
tervals, even to breathe. In my next you
shall hear something of Brookline. In this, I
can only request subscribe myself your Philos.

P.S. My best respect to [...] dear wife. May your mu-
tual happiness never be diminished! Respects & compliments
where, you know, they are most due.