University of Virginia Library

I SINCERELY thank you for your affectionate
letter, by the last post, and for the book
with which it was accompanied. The very title
is sufficient to rouse the feelings and attract
the attention of the patriotic mind. Beacon-Hill
claims a conspicuous place in the history of our
country. The subject of this poem must be
highly interesting to every true American; while
the genius it displays cannot fail to gratify every
poetical taste. Philenia's talents justly entitle
her to a rank among the literary ornaments of
Columbia.

I have been reviewing Millot's Elements of Ancient
and Modern History; and recommend it to
your re-perusal. It is undoubtedly the most useful
compendium extant. The tedious minuteness
and prolix details of sieges and battles, negociations
and treaties, which fatigue the reader
and oppress the memory, in most works of the
kind, are happily avoided in this; while the elegance,
simplicity, conciseness and perspicuity of
the style, render it intelligible to every capacity,
and pleasing to every taste. To those who have
a relish for history, but want leisure to give it
full scope, Millot is well calculated to afford both

information and entertainment. It is an objection,
commonly made by our sex to studies of
this nature, that they are dry and elaborate; that
they yield little or no exercise to the more sprightly
faculties of the mind; that the attention is
confined to an uninteresting and barren detail of
facts, while the imagination pants in vain for the
flowery wreaths of decoration.

This is a plausible excuse for those who read
only for amusement, and are willing to sacrifice
reason, and the enlargement of their minds, to
the gaudy phantom of a day; but it can never
be satisfactory to the person, who wishes to
combine utility with pleasure, and dignity with
relaxation. History improves the understanding,
and furnishes a knowledge of human nature and
human events, which may be useful, as well as
ornamental, through life. “History,” says the
late celebrated Ganganelli, “brings together all
ages and all mankind into one point of view.
Presenting a charming landscape to the mental
eye, it gives colour to the thoughts, soul to the
actions, and life to the dead; and brings them
again upon the stage of the world, as if they were
again living; but with this difference, that it is
not to flatter, but to judge them.”

The duties and avocations of our sex will not
often admit of a close and connected course of
reading. Yet a general knowledge of the most
necessary subjects may undoubtedly be gained,

even in our leisure hours; provided we bestow
them not on works of mere taste and fancy, but
on the perusal of books calculated to enrich the
understanding with durable acquisitions.

The sincerest wishes for your health and happiness
glow in the breast of your affectionate