For the communications by Mrs Black, you have my grateful acknowledgements.1 She made me only a Vis—short, & sweet. I was very sorry she could not tarry longer.

I rejoice to hear that after many dissappointments your Eldest Son, is at length made the happy Father of a living Child. May his & your joy be complete, by seeing it grow up, a comfort to its Parents, an honour & a blessing to the world—

Mr Peabody has received a very polite, & sensible Letter from Col. Smith.2 He appears gratified with the improvements that his Children have made under our Care, & wishes us still to watch over them with parental affection, & to stimulate them in their studies, that they may be qualified to enter the University the next year, with honour to themselves, & their Preceptor— For every pecuniary matter he desires us to apply to our mutual Friend Mr W. Smith, & to send our bills to him, where he has deposited mony for defraying the necessary expences of his Children’s Education, & wishes them to be furnished with every thing necessary, or genteel—

It must be a solace, & a comfort both to the Col. & you, that his circumstances are now such, that he is able to provide for his own house. I sincerely hope that by former misfortunes, he may gain wisdom, & be preserved. in a line of conduct that may sweeten domestic life, & ever delight the heart of his truly amiable Partner—

I was glad to see that the dear Lads returned so cheerfully again— Lydia was sick upon the bed, occasioned by a bad fall, & our house crouded with Boarders— Should you ask what were their names? I would not reply, that it was Legion though we are many, & oft times make a terrible noise— Two of them almost weeping left the house, that I had admitted conditionally—till William & John returned— You could not help taking of Boarders no more than I, they do beg so hard, & live so pleasantly when together—that it makes me some compensation— But I think I have higher motives—& hope, & trust that the good seed may spring up, if not now, yet at some future period, & yeild some sixty, some an hundred fold—

Mr Peabody will make you a short visit accompanied by one of our young Ladies. It is an opportunity for her to attend Commencement, & to see the Beau-monde that I am unwilling she should let pass— She is a person of wit, & quick discernment—but her mind must suffer for want of earlier cultivation, Permit me to introduce her to you, & my Cousin Louisa—a little freindly attention will please her, & make her come home highly gratified—3

You mention Abbys making you a visit— I want she should before long, but really you seem to have little ones round you, & I fear she will be troublesome—for she has been in such poor health that she cannot be so helpful as her dear Sister used to be—in any family, though this summer she has been very serviceable, & I could not done without her—

I have had a fine visit from Mrs Foster, & her sweet Babe— I r[. . . .]ble for her, for I fear this will not live[. The] Child appears too much like a Cherub, [. . . .] long a Resident on Earth—

I am rejoiced to hear that My Brother & you, enjoy health among the rural Scenes, in philosophick retirement—& that you permit my Son to visit you, & partake of your domestic felicity—

With sincere affection / I am your Sister