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imagination on such subjects, mine has too often shift from the guidance of my sober reason, and presented such heart-winning scenes of domestic rational enjoyment, that I have almost regretted that I was not destined thus to bless and to be blessed.

And if mine, my dear Margaret, has thus strayed, what must yours do which is so much more powerful. It is now my constant endeavor to keep mine within due bounds, very rigid ones too sometimes fancy. I have not suffered it to travel this road a great many months. For perhaps I never may marry, or if I should, I may meet with a very different being from my ideal companion and then my disappoinment may make me slight every comfort which I might have really enjoyed had I not unwisely [] an unattainble standard by which to estimate their merits.

I think you right in allowing me to tell M Bleeker. His long friendship demands this proof of your confidence, and as you say, he would soon hear it from another quarter. I think he improved, Margaret, that is, I find more pleasure in his company than formerly. He is not so profuse in witticisms.

I saw Mr Barker this morning, talked to him a good deal. Yet that was not what I wanted, I wanted him to talk to me. I cannot form an opinion of him yet.

I have been quite uneasy at not hearing from Mary Smith, wanting to write to her very much, that she had not answered my last letter, but I seemed not to have any thing that related to myself of sufficient importance to write, and enquiries after the health of another, though it deeply interested me, yet seemed so little to write about.

While I was at Greenwich, D Miller, Mr Johnson, Mr Bleeker and Miss Roe made Mrs Higginson a visit at New York.

I saw Mr Johnson and Mr Brown last evening. The latter expects to be in Brunswick the first of next week, and Mr Bleeker I believe, will accompany him. They talk of going to Philad together. It would be a mad scheme for WB at this season of the year.

To you friend with you more, when is the time that I have anticipated on your account with so much pleasure. So write to me soon, a long, long letter Adieu dear Margaret, your sister Maria Templeton