Anna_Maria_Thorntons_Life_of_William_Thornton (ca. 1828)

honorably in Edinburg, where he attended all the lectures including the famous Dr Brown's -While there in the year 1782 (he was then 21 yr of age) March 2d, he heard of the Death of his beloved brother, to whom he was most tenderly attached, & in his journal kept at the time says "This day "oh! fatal one indeed I received the accounts of my "dear brother Absolom's Death, poor fellow, what a "load does my heart contain-- he is gone forever-"he is gone & I shall no more either hear from him, "or see him -- Oh! my God have mercy upon his "poor Spirit___ He was a good & a fine youth - he "was a most kind & affectionate & loving brother _ "& to his tender parents a most dutiful Son. I rejoice "that he will be blessed."____

'3d This day so overwhelmed with Grief that I 'was advised to take a ride out, in a chaise, which "I did in the afternoon, & went to Mussleburgh, about "six miles off, going around by Dalkeith, but found 'little pleasure in anything."

He might truly say he was "a good & fine youth for

For this his many letters shew -- they appear as if written by an elder, instead of younger brother, & are replete with virtuous Sentiments & good advice. --

His brother died in Tortola shortly after his return & he never ceased during his whole life to lament his loss, & to speak of him with tenderness & feeling. *--

His father died young, & his mother afterwards married a Cap [Baillie?] & then Capt Tho. Thomason by whom she had a Son named James B. Thomason, who was educated at Eton -- returned to Tortula -- & married Miss Maria [Bourk?] of St Croix -- by whom he had four Children -- two of whom are still living. *--

After he obtained his Degrees, at the University of Edinburgh he went to Paris to finish his Studies & there became acquainted with the first persons of fashion & science, particularly the Countess of Beauharvois celebrated as an authoress, & of whom it might be said I suppose (as of Lady Montrevor in the Wild Irish boy) "Always living in the blaze of Courts, & in the centre "of splendid admiration, her form & manners present "the reflextion of all that is attractive in Grace, or

* and might say with the pact - "Thus with the year, "Seasons return; but not to me returns, "A brother's cordial smile, at eve or noon."

*Adelaide Talbot & Anna Maria Thomason & now (1828) in the City of Washington with their mother

"or resistless in power, all the art of beauty & all "the array of fascination." The fascinations of such women are great indeed -- He remained in Paris about six months, & after he left France, she wrote to him the most impassioned Epistles -- indeed the adoration she expressed amounted almost to impiety. --

Oh how those Convexions spoil a man for the every day Scenes of domestic life, for "those blandishments of love obtain an influence over him which he feels superior to that obtained by merit & affection." Such passion, such warm feeling, such expressions cannot continue in daily intercourse, even where there is sincere love on both sides (calm rational love) & indeed if felt cannot be said by a delicate & modest woman! --

The common occurences of life, pecuniary difficulties worldly vexations & disappointments, all tend to allay & sometimes to destroy such warmth of feeling, & silence such strong declarations of passionate love and sentimental sentiment.-- While in France he obtained Letters of introduction to the most distinguished Characters in the W. Indies & N. & S. America -- (See letters in Box)

On his return to the British Isles he travelled thro’ the Highlands of Scotland with the Count Andreoni & Faujas de St Fond the celebrated naturalist.* At that time & in a previous [t?me] while a Student of Medicine, he received great kindness & attentions from Sir John Dalrymple and Lord Dundonald & many other of the most distinguished Characters in Scotland. (See letters in Box).* He returned to Tortola with the intention of practising physic there, & the expectation of marrying an heiress Miss R. H. but the match was broken off by some treacherous means & she married Mr G — this cruel disappointment occasioned a severe illness & caused his visit to America — where in Phila: he married Miss B — in Oct. 1790[o=], I went immediately with her & a friend Majr. Rivardi (a Swiss gentleman with whom he became acquainted by accident in Phila. & th whom he invited to go with him to restore his health, which was very bad in consequence of sabre wounds received in the Russian Service) to visit his mother & family in his native place.

————————————-———————————————————— * See also many letters shewing the attachment felt for him by many friends & relatives, & their high opinion of his talents.