LETTER XCI.
Friday Night, Nov. 19, 1812.
My dear Theodore,
I received your short letter this evening, and an impertinent
one from Palmer, by the same post. I fear I
shall have to go home, for he threatens to leave my plantation,
because "I am too tight with him;" that is, I will not
permit him to encroach beyond the terms of my contract with
him.
You have, perhaps, done right in taking the tickets of all
the professors. It is, no doubt, a propitiatory step towards
them; but, I do hope, that you will not run the risk of injuring
your health in attending them. You say nothing upon
that topic. What is Dr. Physick's, or Wistar's opinion of
your case? You are silent, also, respecting Mrs. Clay, Mr.
Walsh, Dr. Chapman, &c.? How is Randolph? I wrote to
you last evening. The night was a night of horrors to me.
I had a severe sore throat, fever and pains in every limb and
joint. Half an hour's disturbed sleep was my portion. To-day
I am better, far better; but clearly discern gout in my feet.
They are painful, tumid, and red, especially the great toes.
I am glad to tell you that Tudor has done himself credit
at Cambridge. He stands high in the opinion of the professors,
as well for his deportment, as his literary acquirements,
and love of study.
It has blown a gale from every point of the compass, (except
south,) since you left us. Hard clouds—spitting snow
and sleet—weather that one would expect in Spitzbergen;
not in latitude 39°. I have not been to the house, and scarcely
out of the house since you left us.
Yours,
JOHN RANDOLPH, of Roanoke.
My compliments to Dr. Chapman. Tell him that I would
give him some memoires pour servir, &c., if I had an amanuensis.
Do not forget that the perfection of the epistolary art
consists in omitting all mention of incidents in one's letters.
Present me, respectfully, to Mr. Walsh, Mr. Hare, Mr.
Meredith, Mr. Binney, and Mr. Dallas, if he be of your acquaintance.
Good night! good night.
Beverley R. has distinguished himself at Queenstown.
