38 Life of Count Rumford. 



Most friendships among young persons of either sex 

 are subjected to occasional disturbances of feeling arising 

 from misunderstanding or the crossing of plans. They 

 generally are of a trifling character, and are most apt to 

 originate in connection with pleasure-parties. The fol- 

 lowing correspondence seems to cover an incident of 

 this sort, in a fishing-excursion at Nahant. 



MR. BALDWIN, " WoBURN ' J une 4th ' I77 ' 



" SIR, Having received your favour of this afternoon, I find 

 a Question proposed to me, in answer to which I say first I 

 acted wrong in leaving Mr. Johnson's house before you were 

 ready. But as to slighting your company or friendship, I can 

 truly say I never meant it, and had I not expected you would 

 have overtaken us, I never would nor should have left the house 

 without you. But you may say I had no reason to expect you 

 to overtake me. In answer to that, I say, I knew nothing of 

 your affairs in the boat, among the fish, but what I gathered 

 from Mr. A. Thompson's talk when he came up. He said he 

 would eat his dinner and tackle the horses in the carriage and go 

 along. Dr. Hay said he would eat his dinner with him and go 

 along slowly, for his horse was very dull. He said you would 

 overtake him before he got to Lynn town, as you would have 

 nothing to do but to eat your dinner and set out after. 



" I considered no more of the matter, but ate my dinner with 

 him, went and got the horses, brought yours to the door and 

 paid part for his keeping, and left word with Mrs. Johnson to 

 receive the rest, and set out, not doubting but you would over- 

 take me. 



" I see no reason why you was so much more affronted with 

 me than with Dr. Hay, except the trouble you took to procure 

 me a horse (which I own was very kind). But you was at 

 much trouble, I should think, in taking care of the Doctor's 

 fish, in gutting and cleaning them, wetting and nastying yourself 

 with them. Be that as it may but to return. 



" As to my talk after our return from Nahant, you must 



