University of Virginia Library

LETTER II.

I wrote to you, yesterday, by the New Orleans
mail, and, through mistake, dated my letter in January. I
would have you, my dear boy, consider the little book,
which I sent at the same time, as coming from my head and
heart, and addressed to your own. Our situation, and that of
its writer and his nephew, are not dissimilar. Let us, then,
profit by their example. Whilst I endeavour to avail myself
of the wisdom and experience of the one, do you also
strive to imitate the amiable docility of the other; and so
may God bless you, my dear boy.

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12

Above all things abstain from going, on any occasion, to
Farmville, when you can possibly avoid it. You can meet
no company there, from whom you can derive improvement
of any sort; but much of an opposite description. Tell
Sam, that I rely upon him. Endeavour to prevent the
wood from being pillaged, and ask Mr. Johnston to assist
you. Keep a watch upon all trespassers, and threaten them,
in my name, with a prosecution when I return: not that I
mean seriously to go to law, (which I detest,) about a few
tiers of wood; but, situated as the estate is, it is too much
exposed to real injury from such marauders, to submit quietly
to their inroads.

As soon as I get better, I shall set out for Bizarre.