LETTERS. 91 
me; notwithstanding the laws of my country 
have condemned me to be banished from this 
world, as a wretch unworthy to live in it. But 
what of that? Am I the first unhappy victim 
who has been torn from his dear family, his 
connexions, and his all, though conscious of his 
own integrity and thorough innocence of the 
crime for which his life must be the unjust 
forfeit ? No ! Why then should I for a moment 
repine ? I do not, nor ever will ! For that idea 
alone, if placed on a good foundation, is sufficient 
to make any man so light that he can buoyantly 
float upon the ruffled tide of misfortune. And 
I own to you, my dearest sister, it is that only 
which now enables me to support my life and 
spirits, which, without it, would soon bend 
beneath the ponderous load under which I have 
long tottered. But by and by I shall, with 
God's assistance, throw it off; then all will be 
well, and then shall I be a joyful partaker of 
that bliss of which I can now have but a very 
faint .idea! Cheer up, then, my dear Nessy! 
Cherish your hope, and I will exercise my 
patience ; both I know by experience to be pro- 
ductive of the same fruits of present content. 
James is gone to dine with Mr. Spranger, and 
I am employing my leisure hours in making a 
vocabulary of the Otaheitan language. Whom- 
soever you write to at home, my love, remember 
me to them as I wish, and in particular, to our 
paternal friend, Mr. Graham. 
" Ever, my dearest sister, your most ardently 
affectionate, and truly faithful brother, 
" Peter Heywood. 
