Benjamin Abbot Class of 1782

Cambridge Sep.tr 20th

H.n.d Parent,

Mr. Pearson has requested me to communicate his wishes respecting a quantity of syder. He is sensible of the approaching scarcity, & is desirous of protecting against it [?] . He wishes therefore, you would engage two tons or more, for himself and Dr. Wigglesworth. As he has an high opinion of your syder, he would prefer having it from your own orchards; but if that be impracticable, he requests it as a favour, that you would procure it of some person,

whose syder you can recommend; and he is ready to make you satisffaction.

I have one favour likewise to aske for myself -- But as I'm so often obliged to have recourse to your goodness, shall only mention it. -- What I would wish for is a horse to ride a little way into the [?] from the forepart of the vacation. I expect a couple of my classmates to go to and by Andover, and tarry a day or two with me, there, if you think proper, I would to ride with them as far as Harvard, or Princetown - But I submit it to your pleasure ---- By granting it, however, you will confer a new obligation upon

Your ever duitiful & obedient Benj.n Abbot

Cap. J. Abbot

Cap.t John Abbot Jun.r

By Mr. Abbot

Andover

Exeter Nov^r 29^th 1790 --

Dear Brother,

Whether upon the principles of reason & economy you have a right to expect a letter from me now, I will not dispute. But if you were half as fond of writing as I am of receiving letters, there would be no dispute about [?]. The last letter you received from me, I am sensible, was not overcharged with good humor; but I have vented all my spleen & you have nothing to fear from this. We are not perfect masters of our passions, & sometimes the hasty production of a moment creates hours of Painful Reflection. I have often regretted that we could not govern our passions so that they should always be sub-

[along the side:] Write by the bearer, who will [?] but one day past you.

servient to reason. They are the spring of all our vises, & give rise to most of our virtues. He, whose reason governs them best, approaches nearest to that perfections, which ought to be object of every one's life. I am sensible I have something to do on this scoure yet, tho' I hope I have made some small advances in the arduous task. I hope, however, to have the assistance of one, who has been in the school of discipline & has acquired a degree of perfection to which I never expect to arrive, & whose influence over me I presume, will not be small.

It was with regret, that I left you at the end of the vacation, espectially as our little sister was at home. I wish I could believe she is perfectly happy in her situation. But something in her countenance led me to fear, that the idea of returning was disagreeable to her. I hope my conjecture is wrong, & I