University of Virginia Library

LETTER LXV.

Your letter from "the Ship" did not arrive until
yesterday, having been sent by mistake to Clarksbury, in
Harrison County, instead of Charlotte, C. H. I am disappointed

at not receiving one of a later date, and I was not
without a hope of hearing from Mr. Clay. I am much
obliged to you for your description of the country around,
(or, rather, on this side of,) Downingtown: such accounts of
the places, persons, &c., you may see, are very acceptable,
because they indicate a spirit of observation. There are
many who look and do not see, while some see without looking.
Indolence and indifference, the maladie du pays (of
Virginia,) are more injurious to the eye-sight than candlelight,
and the smallest print. By the way, you have never
mentioned any preacher, or other public speaker, whom you
have heard in Philadelphia. Mr. Hoge forms a standard of
comparison, by which you might give me your opinion of
Messrs. Alexander, Green, or Smith.

I had thought the Yellow Springs had been a newly discovered
watering-place; but, I find them laid down in a map
published in 1775, in Pikeland Township, on Pickering's
creek, a water of Schuylkill. They are placed a few miles
to the north-east of the "Ship tavern," which is also laid
down; but, I presume, that cannot be the correct course. I
am greatly pleased to learn that your strength and spirits are
recruiting, and I highly approve of your pedestrian essays:
but choose not Virginians for your companions. I have no
doubt that many of the medical students of the south, leave
Philadelphia as ignorant of every thing worthy to be known
in that city, as when they entered it. This arises from a
clannish spirit, which makes them associate exclusively with
one another, and foster their ridiculous prejudices against the
people of the middle and northern states, of whom, in fact,
they know nothing.

St. George came up on Saturday. He left your sister in
good health: she is staying with Mrs. Dillon, (Mr. D. is
gone to the Warm Springs in Bath County,) during your
cousin's absence, who is gone to Staunton. Tudor returned
last evening to school: he came with his mother from Mr.
Rice's. Carter Coupland became a member of my family
a few days since. Some society was indispensable to me,

and he is a well-disposed boy, who, I trust, will relieve, in
some degree, my uncomfortable situation. Beverley is at
Staunton, with his wife.

Since my last, it has rained almost daily. My crop (corn
excepted) is ruined, and my last year's crop of tobacco, good
for nothing.

Tell Mr. Clay that I have just heard from Mr. and Mrs.
Bryan, and that they are very well. I hope you will not
neglect your friend Dr. Logan. Farewell, my dear Theodore.
I long to see you once more.