40 
Mr. Smith to Mr. James Edward Smith. 
Dear Son, Norwich, March 1782. 
When a man really takes delight in his business, 
be it what it will, it is hardly ever seen that he 1s 
unsuccessful. You cannot conceive the joy it gave 
your affectionate mother and me to hear you have 
spoken twice at the Medical Society: you have 
broke the ice, and have good ground to expect you 
will be distinguished from the common herd. I 
would have you proceed with firmness and due con- 
fidence: one of the most certain prognostics of vic- 
tory in every conflict, is a dependence upon one’s 
self, so that a man does not quite miscalculate his 
powers; but that includes the idea of so much vanity 
or ignorance, neither of which I am sure will dupe 
you, that I don’t take them into the account when I 
consider your attempts. 
I have seen your brother since I wrote before. 
‘What gave me much pleasure was, to see that he read 
the dedication to Dryden’s Virgil, and tasted the 
beauties of it besides; for you know his dedications 
are looked upon as the best in our language, and 
masterly performances ;—and how few boys read 
dedications and prefaces! 
I am, dear James, with the strongest affection, 
Your loving Father, 
JAMES SMITH. 
N.B. ‘ Loving’ is an out-of-fashion term, and has 
not been in use since our grand- or great-grand- 
