LIFE OF WILSON. XXV 



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

 has sustained more distress than usual. I know the rude ap- 

 pearance of the country, and the want of many usual conve- 

 niences, will for some time affect her spirits; let it be your plea- 

 sure 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 destruction, has sent many poor 

 mortals to their long homes since you departed; and the gen- 

 tleman who officiates as steward to the Hospital informed me 

 yesterday 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 Alexander 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 cmploy- 

 , ment. Habit will reconcile him to all difficulties. It is more 

 healthy, more independent and agreeable than to be cooped up 

 in a subterraneous dungeon, surrounded by gloomy damps, and 

 breathing an unwholesome 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 



VOL I. D 



