374 Life of Count Rum ford. 



the way ; ard notwithstanding there appears in him a strange 

 kind of evasion, yet I still think that we shall succeed in mak- 

 ing the settlement. 



" I have with particular pleasure attended to your proposition 

 of forming for yourself a little quiet retreat in America, and 

 made your proposed scheme known to a few of our best friends, 

 who have most cheerfully afforded me their aid in search of a 

 spot worthy your attention. There are several in the neighbor- 

 hood of Cambridge that have been mentioned ; some of the 

 most eligible I fear are not just at present come-at-able. How- 

 ever, we can raise a most powerful influence when it comes to 

 the case in hand. Meantime I shall continue upon the look 

 out. 



" Your dear mother is again a widow. Her late husband, 

 Mr. Pierce, died on or about the i8th of August last, at Flints 

 town, on Saco River, where they have lived for a number of 

 years past. Josiah Pierce, Esq., their oldest son, who is now 

 with me here on a visit from Flintstown, informs me that your 

 mother is not in quite so good health as she has been for some 

 years past, but is at Portland with her youngest daughter, Han- 

 nah Douglass, who is much out of health at this time, but not 

 considered immediately dangerous. 



" I have drawn a set of exchange for your mother on your 

 bankers in London for .30 sterling, dated the a6th of March 

 last, as usual, and delivered them to Josiah Pieice, Esq., agree- 

 ably to your mother's request. I suppose that your daughter 

 will draw for her in future. However, in this or in any and 

 every thing else, as far as lies in my power, I shall cheerfully 

 contribute to her comfort, nor shall I fail to assist Sally in car- 

 rying her plans for an establishment into effect agreeably to your 

 wishes. 



" I have a favor to ask of you, my dear sir, and I feel confi- 

 dent that you will indulge me in the request I am about to make. 

 I have already told you that I have a son at College whose genius 

 inclines him strongly to cultivate the arts, and I think it rather' 

 doubtful whether he will apply his studies to either of the three 

 learned professions with that success as to become eminent. I 



