LIFE OF AVILSON. 
xxi 
longed to get to heaven. He gives a most dismal description of the situation 
of the poor people of Scotland in 1800. 
" Your letters, so long expected, have at length relieved me from much 
anxiety. I am very sorry that your accommodations are so few, for my sister's 
sake, and the children's ; a fireplace and comfortable house for the winter 
must, if possible, be got up without delay. If masons are not to be had, I 
would attempt to raise a temporary one myself, I mean a fireplace — but surel}' 
they may be had, and lime and stones are also attainable by dint of industry. 
These observations are made not from any doubts of your doing everything in 
your power to make your mother as comfortable as possible, and as your means 
will enable you, but frogi a solicitude for a sister's health, who has sustained 
more distress than usual. I know the rude appearance of the country, and 
the want of many usual conveniences, will for some time affect her spirits ; let 
it be your pleasure 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 de- 
struction, has sent many poor mortals to their long homes since you departed ; 
and the gentleman who ofiiciates as steward to the hospital informed me yes- 
terday 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 Alex- 
der 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 forever 
for such an employment. Habit will reconcile him to all difficulties. It is 
more healthy, more independent and agreeable than to be cooped up in a sub- 
terraneous dungeon, surrounded by gloomy damps, and breathing an unwhole- 
some 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 of you. In the 
month of March next I shall, if well, be able to command two hundred dollars 
cash once more. Nothing stands between me and this but health, and that I 
hope will continue at least till then. You may then direct as to the disposal 
of this money — I shall freely and cheerfully yield the whole to your manage- 
ment. Another quarter will enable me to settle John M.'s account, about the 
time it will be due; and, instead of wandering in search of employment five 
or six hundred miles for a few dollars, I would beg of you both to unite in 
putting the place and house in as good order as possible. But Alexander can 
