30 



will come, he may travel with me, — but these are 

 visions. This summer will probably determine 

 many things respecting me. In short, I rely on 

 the blessing of Providence which has hitherto been 

 most indulgent to me ; and as long as I wish for 

 what is only really best, I cannot be materially un- 

 happy. Excuse this grave unbotanical letter. Re- 

 member me most respectfully to your lady. I will 

 write you a longer letter when I can. I am re- 

 markably well this fine winter, — no snow at all ! 



Yours, 



J. E. Smith. 



Mr. Davall to J. E. Smith. 



My good Friend, Orbe, March 23, 1790. 



I last night received your most friendly letter of 

 the 9th, which gave me equal pleasure and equal 

 pain. Yet even the pain, from the degree in which 

 I felt it, and now do feel it, was to me a delight, as 

 a fresh and most convincing proof of my warm and 

 sincere attachment to you, and of your proportion- 

 ate return. Oh now I do indeed conceive most 

 forcibly, how much you might be dissatisfied with 

 my temporary silence. You might well, as you say, 

 owe me a grudge ; but I can swear by all that is 

 sacred and dear to me, that, as it is the first, it shall 

 be the last. I had adopted the idea that I was not 

 doomed to enjoy that greatest object of my ambi- 

 tion, a warm and bosom friend ; and I dare add, 

 that at the same time I felt within me all that was 



