Maria Nicholson to Margaret Bayard Smith, 9 October 1799

Long-Island October 9th- 1799 "Why did not Maria Nicholson write to me? I wish she had" - to prove to you my Friend that my own wishes accord with thine, I have seated myself without ceremony by candle light to write to you - and as I hate any thing like form, I shall not remind myself that this is the commencement of our correspondence.

The present delightful season of the Year has had its charms increased, by the situation of such a Friend as Maria Templeton being so near me - The Autumnal tint of the woods, and the awful affliction of the City of N York, has added pensiveness to our walks, and interviews; but excepting the enjoyments of society, the City no longer attracts my affections, and I am almost surprised that one so totally unaccustomed to the Country, can so easily divest herself of all city prejudices - How innocent, how instructive, how heart-felt, are the pleasures which in the country we enjoy; the mind all harmony, the soul all ardency - you will not wonder at my preference, when I tell you that every thing around me is Novelty - I have hitherto only lived where uninteresting visitants importuned, where Tyrant custom swayed an Iron sceptre, and where tumultuous occupations employed each moment - now, how changed the scene - domestic felicity, animated, instructive Nature - Health - exercise, leisure - but a [truce?] with this subject, your enthusiasm has been roused, a thousand times, with every emotion which I could describe -

You have had a visit from Mr. Brown - He is an interesting man, the more so, from the apparently unaffected solicitude he displays in your welfare, I

I was as much flattered by his manner, upon my first acquaintance with him, as you are. Yet I know not how it is, we have had but little connection latterly. I suspect his disposition is versatile, and if he can so easily divest himself of Friendships (though when acquired upon slight acquaintance it may be pardoned) yet little ought to be confided to his professions) - M Templeton shewed to me parts of your last letter - I am almost tempted to complain of her conduct, yet as I can not judge of the justness of her withholding from me, what I have not seen, I must not declare that she acts disingenuously - yet it appears strange that she should object to my seeing, what she tells me you make it optional with her to shew, or to with-hold from me - I must be satisfied, yet I know you would act differently

I am as much pleased from a more frequent intercourse, with Mr Johnson, as you are with his friend Mr B[rown?] - I really regret, if it be true, that he is engaged to a Lady in Connecticut, for I think him in all points just calculated to make, and be made happy by a certain friend of ours - I wish he would make me his confidante, I love dearly to give pleasure by listening to animated descriptions, and interesting communications - You know but little of this young man I believe, I am sure you would admire him, pensiveness is his characteristic, and gravity in men procee ding from thoughtfulness, and a sympathising Heart is truly admirable

You have had poor fugitives from N York and Philadelphia [hover?]ing around you for sometime I suppose - the society of many of them must be gain to you, yet until this Summer, I never knew how few associates, with Books, work, rural scenery, and tender relatives, would satisfy. Maria and I ramble about at a great rate. the Country people stare and ponder what two female stragglers are so adventurous, and dare wander so far from home

I need not say that to hear from you will give me pleasure, let my so soon comply with your request since that, and likewise let the slovenly appearance of this midnight scrawl say, Maria Nicholson wishes to appear like an old Friend without disguise, and without parade -

But I must not conclude my letter without informing you of another, among various sources of amusement desired, from my situation here, which a City residence deprives me - that is Botanical researches Maria and I have become great participants, and had not the Country been harvested and ransacked before, we might hope to gain Immortality by discovering some non-descript plant - but Alas! the woods and the wilds having afforded pleasure to other than uncultivated savage may long, long, before Templstonia or Nicholsonia thickened the shade of their shadows -

May the blessings of Peace accompany thee [unreadable] in all thy [illegible] through this tumultuous sense of things, and may thy affectionate heart we must with attachment, reciprocal and sincere as that which flows for thee in the bosom of ---------

Maria Nicholson

Maria T. writes by this Post I believe to you --

Miss Bayard Brunswick New Jersey

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