5O Life of Count Rumford. 



except in the town of Concord. And I do solemnly protest 

 by the third joint of St. Peter's great toe, that unless you come 

 and see me this winter, you shall never know this grand 

 Arcanum. 



"There will be an ordination at Hopkinton next week on 

 Wednesday, and 't is only six miles from our house. Pray, 

 try and come, so as to attend, if possible. If not, come as soon 

 as you can, for 't is charming sleighing as ever was known. 



" Mrs. Thompson's Compliments to you and your lady, and 

 begs you would give us the Pleasure of waiting on you both at 

 Concord very soon. 



" Interim, we both remain Yours and Your Lady's most 

 Obedient 



" Humble Servt 8 , 



THOMPSON."* 



One might imagine the something "new" and " so 

 pretty " here referred to was a father's proud trophy 

 of a babe. But this could not be. 



We may suppose that Major Thompson, with his 

 versatility of talent, would not neglect any means of 

 qualifying himself in knowledge and practice for a mili- 

 tary career. As we shall see, when on his way ten years 

 afterwards to offer his services as a soldier to the Aus- 

 trians, he confesses to having been passionately engaged 

 with ardor for martial work. I am inclined to think 

 that the entry in his memorandum-book, already copied, 

 of "Directions for the Back Sword," is a memorial of 

 his purpose and effort to train himself in the use of 

 weapons as became a field-officer. He may have taken 

 lessons from the Mr. McAlpine to whom he credits 

 those directions, as I find the advertisements of that 

 teacher in the New Hampshire Gazette of the dates 



* Copy of a letter of Benj. Thompson to Rev. Samuel Williams, LL. D., then 

 at Meredith, N. H. I am indebted for this letter to Mr. Jos. B. Walker of Concord. 



