I have this moment been favored with yours of the 5th. of this month— Your aunts Death was very unexpected; and I regret it as an Event which must affect your uncle very sensibly. Your own Sensibility will I am persuaded render it unnecessary for me to intimate the Propriety of your visiting him frequently— Attentions to Persons in Affliction are always acceptable, and being marks not only of Politeness but of Kindness, are generally estimated accordingly—1

Maria and Nancy have both written to me, and I am pleased with their Letters— my Letter to Essex still remains unanswered2— I ascribe his Silence to his Diffidence— it is a sad Incumbrance, and one that I fear will too long continue to embarrass & perplex him. Modesty is a Virtue and almost always accompanies merit— Bashfulness is a Foible, a Weakness, and an Impediment to our treating either ourselves or others with proper & becoming Respect. I feel myself much interested in that Boys Happiness, and should be mortified if he should omit being just to himself—

You have read the ancient History—now therefore is the Time for you to read more in Detail the Histories of the Great Men that have figured in it—read Plutarchs Lives— and read them with attention— they will then teach you much of human Nature; and so far as this World is concerned, believe me there is not one Science so important, so essentially useful, as that of human Nature— Read the Life of Cicero, and tell me in your next Letter to what Acts of Indiscretion his Misfortunes are to be ascribed— there is much Truth in the adage— Quisque sua Faber est Fortunae—3 God bless you my dear Son. I am your very afft. Father,