― [page break] ―March 14. 1797~
I have been writing two letters to Philadelphia: My hand, as they say, is in, and the question natu–
=rally occurred, why may I not proceed, and write a few lines to Joseph Bringhurst? The letter=
writer generally draws his topics from the epistle of the Correspondent. I have not recieved a letter
from thee lately; and I know not where to look for the last that I recieved, so that I must derive
my materials from another source. I may at least addreß thee with the formal question How
dost do? and may add, by way of anticipating a similar enquiry from thee, that Ido tolera–
=bly well, I am informed thou art still at Wilmington, and art only an occasional Visitant
to Philadelphia; I expect to be at the last place, in a few days, but since such are thy arrange
=ments I suppose I shall not enjoy any opportunity of seeing thee, unleß some accident or ingage
=ment induce thee to perform the Journey, within a reasonable time. I take for granted that thou
keepst thy way in a tranquil tenor; that Laura is as amiable and serene as ever, and that
between you, you contrive to mingle content with your portion. These are my gueßes. I give thee
full permißion to turn these gueßes into certainties. Perhaps the Circumstance of my being
nearer to thee, by Ninety Miles, may be some inducement to thee to profit by this permißion,
& tell me, by pen and ink, where, with whom, & how employed thou art.~ But, I aßure thee, I
shall not be out of humour if thou dost not; if I am obliged to sit down contented with
my gueßes; or with indirect and second hand information. I account myself in full poßeßion
of thy friendship. Thy deportment to me must be regulated by thy notions of Utility; So must
mine to thee, by my own conceptions of the useful.
No doubt, thou recievest a letter from me, containing a Subscription paper for his drama;
Elihu’s I mean. I suppose it has not been much in thy power to promote the sale of this work. He
has published it. If thou hast been able to procure any Subscribers, thou needest not to be informed
how it becomes thee to act; but I thought I would mention to thee that the books are ready, if
the Subscribers are. It is likely to prove to our friend, a losing busineßs. Some of the loßs must be
imputed to the costlineßs of the mode in which he has thought proper to print. it Whatever
defects there may be in the work, the typography is excellent. Perhaps this Circumstance enti
=tles him to more censure than praise. Luxury seems peculiarly out of place in book making
I must own myself curious to know whether I have not recommended to thee in vain the ac=
=quaintance of the Sermon Writer Fawcet. I know not indeed whether the Care of thy subsistance
allows thee to read, or, in what degree, time may have rendered thy taste, austere and scrupulous
Thou once wast of opinion that the cares of gain tended to extinguish literary propensities. They
may be changed or contracted by revolutions of a moral nature. Both of these events may have
happened to thee. But that is a conjecture which I leave thee to correct or confirm. We do not com–
monly stand still, and, at our age, the lapse of six months can hardly fail of thrusting us not
a little on one side, or backward or forward. Yet I cannot say that the experience of the last
half year, in my own case, has verified the observation. The last week has left me nearly
where the first found me — Whether thou receivest this before or after my return to Philadelphia
― [page break] ―will depend on Circumstances —
Philada 18. 1797 |
Thou seest I am once more in my antient abode. My friend M.A.R.
Mary Atmore Robinson displeased and pleased me by inform
ing me that a letter had been sent to N.Y. for me the day before. I should have been very glad to
have recieved it here, and immediately. I will stay till I view thy pacquet, before I say more to
thee.
― [page break] ―[In hand of Joseph Bringhurst, Jr.]
― [page break] ―
Joseph Bringhust June
Wilmington
Delaware
[Upper left corner has rubber stamp with 20 | NR”; upper right corner stamped PAID and 12
written by hand indicating postage]