On the 9th. Inst. I rec.d had the pleasure of recieving your Letter of the 2d.,1 and of learning from it that your Health was then very good— mine continues to decline— I can neither read nor write much at a Time without Fatigue. Since Christmas until the Day before Yesterday (when I went to Church) I have been constantly confined to the House. I nevertheless seldom suffer from severe pain; and in various Respects have great Reason to be thankful.

Altho your Health and Strength remain undiminished, yet the Inconveniences resulting from the present State of your Eyes, are greatly to be regretted—2 Had I the same Complaint, I should think it adviseable to consult some of the excellent Surgeons at New York on the Subject, and be guided by their advice as to the Expedience of recur^ring^ to the operation which is frequently and successfully performed in such cases. The ^Your^ Remark of ^from^ Horace, on the Efficacy of Patience under the pressure of inseperable evils ^calamity^ is certainly just—3 Whenever Patience comprehends Resignation, it becomes an excellent Palliative; especially to those who believe that afflictions are often dispensed for merciful Purposes—

circumstanced as we both are, there seems to be but little Probability of our having many opportunities of renewing those social Interviews which we formerly and cordially enjoyed— Our Time of Life is approaching to a Period when Scenes more durable and more interesting than temporal Enjoyments or Sufferings, will occupy our Attention—

I have not seen our Friend Benson since Septr. last—4 He was then very well— His frequent Journies doubtless conduce to his Health; and the pleasure he takes in them easily reconciles him to occasional Inconveniences—

I should have been glad to recieve your Letter from the Hands of your Son David— Be assured that he or any of your Children, will always meet with a cordial Welcome from Dr Sir, your affte. Friend