532 APPENDIX. 



Again : 



Philadelphia, January 24, 1838. 

 Dear Son : 



You have neglected to write to me since your return, and I find that I must write to 

 you, or remain ignorant of your health and condition. We expected to hear all about 

 your journey up, your safe arrival, and happy reunion with your teachers and school- 

 fellows ; but it appears that you have not a single word to say, though you spoke, when 

 here, in such high terms of the kindness you had received, and your perfect satisfac- 

 tion. You must repair this neglect, and write without delay, for we are all anxious to 

 hear from you, and grandmother is becoming quite impatient. 



I have nothing new to communicate. Your uncle William is still at Washington, 

 and has not been here since he first went. There has been a remarkable exhibition at 

 the Walnut Street Theatre — a man seven feet eight inches high, from Kentucky, and 

 but twenty-one years old. Think what a creature ! he is half a yard taller than Mr. 

 Traquair, and you have never yet seen a man who could not walk under his arm-pits. 

 There was also a nice little man with him, scarcely a yard high, who is nearly twice 

 his age — a mere Liliputian. I went behind the scenes and had a conversation with 

 them both, to satisfy myself that there was no deception. The big man was feeble, 

 possessed but little muscular power, and his health was delicate. He had outgrown 

 his strength. lie told me that he grew thirteen inches in one year, during a great 

 portion of which time he was confined to his bed through rheumatism and weakness. 

 The little fellow was as brisk as a bee, and though twice as old, bids fair to outlive 

 his friend, "the man mountain." My dear son, nature, in her works, goes immeas- 

 urably beyond the extent of human comprehension; objects are daily presented to our 

 eyes, of whose magnificence our feeble intellects could form no conception, and we 

 pass them by without even noticing their beauty ; but when, as in the present instance, 

 she deviates from some well-established rule, our dull senses are shocked at the enor- 

 mity, we recoil from her works, and cry " Unnatural ! " Still it is her work ; for what 

 purpose thus formed — inscrutable ; but though disfigured, not the less entitled to 

 respect. 



That which is coarse and grotesque seizes hold of the imagination of all ; it is the 

 lot of a chosen few to have a keen perception, and relish for the beautiful. I would 

 have you rather look for beauties than defects. Cultivate a taste of this kind, and it 

 will be an inexhaustible source of enjoyment to you. The world is full of beauty. 

 The sky, glittering with myriads of unknown worlds, the green fields, the flowing 

 rivers — I would have you love them all. They are mighty volumes, which God has 

 spread before all his creatures ; we see them daily, and ii is wicked to blindly turn 

 away, and refuse to read his works as illustrated there. Study and love these, my 

 son, and your mind will be as young and joyous as at present, even when your head 

 is gray. 



We are all well, and send you a great deal of love. Your mother has been urging 

 me to write to you for several days, but I have been much engaged in my office, and 

 constantly writing. Say something to please grandmother, and write to her soon. 

 Your uncle Britton died on Sunday, and was buried yesterday in the city. I went to 

 the funeral. He had been sick for some time. Little brother Dick grows like a man, 

 and I hope will soon write you a letter. I am going to Trenton, New Jersey, 

 to-morrow. 



Give my respects to Mr. Van Vleck, and tell him that whenever he thinks proper to 

 draw upon me for the amount of your bill for tuition, etc., he can do so, and it shall 



