University of Virginia Library

LETTER CXXIV.

This, I believe, is the third letter that I have written
to you, to-day, my dear Theodore. In truth, I can think of
nothing but you; for, of poor dear Tudor and his unfortunate
brother, I try to think not at all. You will hear from
me, whenever I indulge myself in rest and sleep; and beg
that you will write by every conveyance that offers. I have
many anxious hours on your subjects. I know, indeed, that
according to vulgar arithmetic, you might be esteemed my
debtor; but I am conscious, that, upon the strictest scrutiny,

I can never repay you, even in a pecuniary point of view,
one half of what I owe you. I shall be at home, I hope, by
the last of next month; at any rate, by Christmas: and I
wish you to make up your mind to remove to Richmond by
that time, unless you can reconcile yourself to the abandonment
of your country practice, and sharing with me as a
son. How is it, that you alone should persist in overpaying
me, when I find all others insensible of what the world
calls obligation? I repeat, that in a mere account of profit
and loss, I have gained from your medical services, alone,
more than any expense to which I may have been put on
the score of your education. Of the satisfaction that I have
had in your society, I will say nothing; for there is no relation
between it and a matter of money.