University of Virginia Library

I AM not so far engaged by the new scenes
of fashionable gaiety which surround me, as to
forget you and the other dear friends, whom I
left at Harmony-Grove. Yet so great is the
novelty which I find in this crowded metropolis,
that you cannot wonder if my attention is very
much engrossed. Mr. and Mrs. Henly, with
their amiable daughters, are extremely polite and
attentive to me; and have taken every method
to contribute to my amusement. I went, yesterday,
in their company, to Commencement at
Cambridge; and was very much entertained with
the exhibition. I pretend not to be a judge of
the talents displayed by the young gentlemen
who took an active part; or of the proficiency
they had made in science. I have an opinion of
my own, notwithstanding; and can tell how far
my eye and ear were gratified.

I never knew before that dress was a classical
study; which I now conclude it must be, or it
would not have exercised the genius of some of
the principal speakers on this public occasion!

The female garb too, seemed to claim particular
attention. The bon ton, taste, and fashions of
our sex, afforded a subject of declamation to the

orator and of entertainment to the audience,
composed, in part, of our legislators, politicians,
and divines! I could not but think that those
scholars who employ their time in studying, investigating,
and criticising the ladies' dresses, might
as well be occupied in the business of a frizeur
or the man-millener; either of which would afford
them more frequent opportunities for the
display of their abilities, and render their labours
more extensively useful to the sex. Others might
then improve the time, which they thus frivolously
engrossed on this anniversary, in contributing to
the entertainment of the literati, who doubtless
expect to be gratified by the exertions of genius,
and an apparent progress in those studies, which
are designed to qualify the rising youth of America
for important stations both in church and
state.

The assembly was extremely brilliant; the ladies
seemed to vie with each other in magnificent
decorations. So much loveliness was visible in
their native charms, that, without any hint from
the speakers of the day, I should have thought it
a pity to add those foreign ornaments, which
rather obscure than aid them.

I was a little displeased by the unbecoming
levity of some of my sex; and apprehensive left
it might induce misjudging and censorious people
to imagine that they were led thither more by

the vanity of attracting notice, than to receive
any mental entertainment.

Without our consent, we ran a race back to
town, which endangered our necks. The avaricious
hackman, desirous of returning for another
freight, had no mercy on his passengers or horses.
However, we arrived safely, though much fatigued
by the pleasure of the day.

Pleasure carried to excess degenerates into pain.
This I actually experienced; and fighed for the
tranquil enjoyments of Harmony-Grove, to which
I propose soon to return, and convince you how
affectionately I am your's.