LIFE OF AVI L SON. xxi 



longed to get to heaven. He gives a most dismal description of the situation 

 of the poor people of Scotland in 1800. 



" Your letters, so long expected, have at length relieved me from much 

 anxiety, I am very sorry that your accommodations are so few, for my sister's 

 sake, and the children's; a fireplace and comfortable house for the winter 

 must, if possible, be got up without delay. If masons are not to be had, I 

 would attempt to raise a temporary one myself, I mean a fireplace — but surely 

 they may be had, and lime and stones are also attainable by dint of industry. 

 These observations are made not from any doubts of your doing everything in 

 your power to make your mother as comfortable as possible, and as your means 

 will enable you, but from a solicitude for a sister's health, who has sustained 

 more distress than usual. I know the rude appearance of the country, and 

 the want of many usual conveniences, will for some time affect her spirits ; let 

 it be your pleasure and study to banish these melancholy moments from her as 

 much as possible. Whatever inconveniences they may for a while experience, 

 it was well they left this devoted city. The fever, that yellow genius of de- 

 struction, has sent many poor mortals to their long homes since you departed ; 

 and the gentleman who officiates as steward to the hospital informed me yes- 

 terday evening that it rages worse this week than at any former period this 

 season, though the physicians have ceased reporting. Every kind of business 

 has been at a stand these three months, but the business of death. 



•' You intimate your design of coming down next spring. Alexander seems 

 to have the same intention. How this will be done, consistent with providing 

 for the family, is not so clear to me. Let me give my counsel on the subject. 

 You will see by your father's letters that he cannot be expected before next 

 July or August perhaps, a time when you must of necessity be at home. 

 Your coming down, considering loss of time and expenses, and calculating 

 what you might do on the farm, or at the loom, or at other jobs, would not 

 clear you more than twenty dollars difference, unless you intended to remain 

 here five or six months, in which time much might be done by you and Alex- 

 der on the place. I am sorry he has been so soon discouraged with farming. 

 Were my strength but equal to my spirit, I would abandon my school for ever 

 for such an employment. Habit will reconcile him to all difficulties. It is 

 more healthy, more independent and agreeable than to be cooped up in a sub- 

 terraneous dungeon, surrounded by gloomy damps, and breathing an unwhole- 

 some air from morning to night, shut out from Nature's fairest scenes and the 

 pure air of heaven. When necessity demands such a seclusion, it is noble to 

 obey ; but when we are left to choice, who would bury themselves alive ? It 

 is only in winter that I would recommend the loom to both of you. In the 

 month of March next I shall, if well, be able to command two hundred dollars 

 cash once more. Nothing stands between me and this but health, and that I 

 hope will continue at least till then. You may then direct as to the disposal 

 of this money — I shall freely and cheerfully yield the whole to your manage- 

 ment. Another quarter will enable me to settle John M.'s account, about the 

 time it will be due; and, instead of wandering in search of employment five 

 or six hundred miles for a few dollars, I would beg of you both to unite in 

 putting the place and house in as good order as possible. But Alexander cap. 



