University of Virginia Library

SARAH TO JOHN.

I promised to write to you and Juliet again, soon, and
enclose one of the anonymous letters. I would write in
detail, and inform you how I am pleased with this hospitable,
warm hearted people; but, I am yet a stranger;

constantly occupied by visiting; a ceremony, conducted in
a fashionable way, that is exceedingly tiresome to me.—
When I have more knowledge, and more leisure too, I
shall write to our beloved Juliet; and tell her all that I
know, or can find out, concerning the good yankees, the
sellers of wooden nutmegs;—gloves, all of one hand;—
cuckoo-clocks, and Hingham-ware. So far as I have
seen them, I like them. The country looks old, rich,
and substantial; and the manners, I should think, were
remarkably primitive. I speak of the country people.—
The buildings, publick and private, are adapted, admirably
well; first, for comfort and utility; and then, for
show. With us, and further to the south, there seems to
be a different tendency. But, perhaps I am prejudiced;
for you know, that, where we have been generously treated,
it is difficult to see faults.
Byron, I believe;—but I have no knack at such things;
and what possessed me to quote poetry, I know not; and
to quote him, of all men breathing; him, whom I so heartily
execrate and despise. I don't know when I have been
in such spirits. Your note, announcing that Frank had
gone to New Orleans, has made my heart light; but the
first had miscarried—I have not received it yet; let him
wear the talisman, nevertheless; the tiger may cross his
path, when he least expects it. But why not say more?
You are on your return, I suppose.—Shall you renew
your intimacy with Molton? I hope not. But if you do,
hunt him out of his labyrinth. Read the within, and
tell me what you think of it. It is the fifth, that I have
received. I already tremble; and, above all, I would
have you ascertain if Molton be married.