Maria Templeton to Margaret Bayard Smith, 19 April 1801

New York April 19th

Last evening I passed very pleasurably talking of you, dear Margaret, of Mr Smith, of Maria, and of Sister Jane and my pleasure was increased by speaking of you and my other dear friends to one who knows their value, to Miss Bull, the sister of D Beach.

You may guess my satisfaction at this unexpected interview. When I went to Ms Laurence, at risk of intending to make an early visit and return home soon, and did not leave her house till near ten. As soon as I discovered this lady was your old friend, I exchanged my seat for one next to her and anticipated the satisfaction I received.

Sally Broome was there too, and I always greet Sally Broome with cordiality. She is said to be affected but I always feel inclined to cast the mantle of charity over her faults and estimate her for those qualities in which she excels others.

I believe I must return to old times when the occurences of each day could be related and commented on and tell you how I passed yesterday, it was so pleasant.

Jane Watts, with whom we were so much pleased at New Rochell, I have only seen twice since. It was long before she returned my visit and of consequence I did not think myself authorised to go again very soon. Yesterday morning I went there. She was not at home but would be in an instant and I passed an hour agreeably in conversation with her mother and younger sister, while waiting her return, but in vain. I then went out with Maria Nicholson to Mrs Hokins and spent a charming hour there and finished my morning with an agreeable visit to Ms Pendleton and Ms Pierce where I saw a very fine picture by Rubens of Daniel in the lions den.

Maria dined with me and for a wonder conversation detained me at the dinner table after grace had been said.

I then went to my room and read some of your and my old letters in chronological order (you recollect the the bundle you returned to me.)

M Johnson came in to visit and to walk, but Maria was engaged to early tea. We enjoyed a few moments together and separated. Mrs Sharples entered as she departed, then Mrs Sharples and [Judge] Kent and sat with me till near six when I paid my visit.

I am very sorry Mrs Sharples has to return to England especially as she seems more disposed to remain in this country [] it surprizing, what she suffered in coming hither is alone sufficient to make again trusting her happiness to the dangers of the sea and perhaps to expose herself again to a prisoner.

I often think with introspection on the time I passed with Mrs Sharples at [], that visit alone enabled me to know her. Before all was conjecture, this gave me a far different certainty her character is a rare one. I constantly hear Mrs Sharples praised for the content of her information, her devotedness to the improvement of her mind, but I dwell with more pleasure on her amiable qualities.

In every character they rank first on my estimation. They seem to me to be the fire from Heaven which antimated the Prometheus clay, mere intellect without this to me is of small value. I might as well read, and then I should have the advantage of chasing the subject that best pleased me, and finding it heated in the [mo]

I preferred, and if it disappointed my expectations exchange it for another. When the book before us is the cool offspring of reason, we consider it as a whole itself and lay it down without thinking of its author but when the heart speaks on paper, we fly from the page to the writer, listen to the tones, and mark the expression of countenance which best correspond with the sentiment that as charmed us. Do you not recollect how fascinated I was with the letter you showed me of Mrs [R.] But I am a child in these things, and too often suffer imagination to add her vivid coloring to the sober tints of reality.

Well, [well] to return to reality then, and Mrs Sharples. I learned a new character while I was at []. I thought of my acquisition with pleasure, it was a rare assemblage of candour, ingeneousness, simplicity, unassuming goodness, the philosophy of the heart finding her happiness in that which conferred happiness on others, yet too fearful of offending, too unconscious of the charms she has to regard and apparently estimating intellectual excellence rather too highly. She weakened an interest in her behalf, and I become desirous of cultivating her acquaintance and cannot think of her leaving this country without actively regret for the extinguishment of my expections of pleasure from her society.

This is April and in June Maria Nicholson goes, Fanny Johnson perhaps will remain till July. [] Margaret what shall I do then. I, who have always had a friend to solace me for the cares and vexations of this life. But I will not anticipate evil. Perhaps I shall find some comfortor whom I do not think of now.

I do not think I shall leave town late autumn, perhaps not then, yet a little change of scene is salutory to the mind as well as the body and if work be as well perhaps, for me to make my promised visit to Princeton before Mrs Gibbs leave it. We are all in a greater or less degree influenced by circumstances and places, and when we understand our systems it is well to do that which best suits it. When because [] from passing the summer months in the city, I have frequently experienced the beneficial tendency of an excursion to the country, and my spirits and happiness have been as much increased by brightening the chains of friendship as my health by breathing a pure invigorating atmosphere.

Eliza had a charming ride yesterday to Bloomingdale, to visit Jane [Depeyton]. She went with my old friend. I am half inclined to suspect he would not greatly dislike being a beau of Eliza's, though he does not visit me very often he talks more to her than he does to me and if he call when I am absent and she at home always comes in, and that is more than my other visitors do. Many times Mr Johnson pays most attention to Eliza, Mr Bleecker none at all. But our friend William generally has the faculty of doing as he ought to do. I hope he has as he intended walked off the remains of a cold, and that he will be very loquacious which with him is synomous with agreeable.

This afternoon as the J M Bleeckers are to accompany Jane [Harrison], Fanny, Eliza and myself to Maria Nickolsons a long projected visit, which the rain and interesting engagements has

sounded to be at least ten times prepared. I told you of the four days I had been out with Maria, of the charming visit from Mrs Bleecker and Mrs Johnson while I was there, and of the delight with which I read [Marys Bankes] journey through Africa. Eliza too was equally happy, for [Adden] was with her. I think Eliza has improved in her appearance this winter though I do not agree with those who say she is handsome. Her form is good. She dresses with taste and neatness, her air is fashionable without being flippant, and the brown she has the bloom of health, and her contenance is animated, modest and intelligent. She enters into conversation with more ease than formerly and though her observations may be thought common place yet they do not show a trifling disposition and they are clothed in correct and appropriate languages.

My little Julielma becomes prettier every day, she is as ruddy as a country lass, her countenance beams with intelligence and ingenuousness, she has all the fearlessness of early youth that knowing no evil [eads] none. I love to mark her attention to Mama, if the rest of the children go out, Julielma will rarely be prevailed on to accompany. Though if Mama was along nothing would give her more delight, for she says if we all go out who will take care of Mama, and she and Jane, though their pleasure is doubled by being associated always agree that one shall remain if Mama do. The other day Julielma had asked leave to go to her cousin. Jane was to accompany her and Mary, when just as she was to set out she found that Eliza, Olivia and myself were going to Maria Nicholson. She wanted to stay at home, No, Mama said, the walk would do Jane and her good they must go.

"Let me set the tea table for you first then." "No, it is quite time for you to go"

When she returned home she flew to mama, shook hands with her, saying "How did you do without us Mama"

Dear Margaret, pardon my nursery tales, so much of my happiness is centered in these dear children, that my heart will overflow sometimes to you who have so long shared its tenderest sentiments.

I have received a charming letter from Maria, poor Robert [Benker] how greatly I pity him. Margaret, do you not recollect my serious conversations last winter, when you used to laugh at me, well! Margaret think of them now and

Mr. Brown is a strange man. Mrs [H] said in a letter I had from her lately, "I asked Mr. B in your name, what he had been doing all winter, and what he was about now. He seemed solicitous to gratify you, and as my brother was present, promised to call again and let me know that I might transmit the intelligence to you"

Strange, as if he imagined I should divine through Mrs [N] any information which could not be communicated in presence of her mother. I did not receive the account however, but I hear that he is extremely attentive to Betsey [] who has passed this winter with her brother visiting her every other evening regularly by walking [] visiting with her.

Susan used to be his favorite, he did not like Betsey, he said because she was constantly insinuating praise. I suppose Maria has told you that Miss S A intends going to Philad: to reside. I wonder if they will meet, and what will be the consequence. I believe love can be very easily [reallumined] in his heart; and I know the interest he feels in her welfare is very strong.

D Miller is very desirous of procuring a pamphlet, written as he believes by a Mrs [Timby], in which there is a particular account of Mrs Gallatin, M.N. says, she thinks

it relates to the Western Insurrection - It occurred to me that Mr Smith might have it, or be able to give Dr M some information respecting it. If he has it he might send it by Mrs Sharples. Dr M is very desirous of procuring for a friend of his in [] []. who writes some account of our first political characters

Margaret the postmaster is liable to a large fine for charging a single letter double, send it to him the next time I am not sufficiently careful and he will thankfully correct his mistake.

April 20th

Well! I passed a charming afternoon at Maria Nicholsons. The two Mr Millers and Miss Morton met us there, and all seemed pleased with each other, it was so like our old parties, Margaret, do you not feel delighted with any thing that reminds you of them. Oh had Mr Smith been one of our citizens, he would have been of all our parties and then you would have seconded him to some others, yet of some he partook, you know not all the delight that plays round the remembrance of an excursion to [], it will never be erased from my heart. Some of its most delicious, its purest emotions were felt on that spot. And the []. Margaret, I cannot help repeating to myself how much happiness have I enjoyed with Margaret.

Mrs Tom I Harrison Smith Washington City Mrs Sharples

Mrs Mason and Miss Murray are relations of Maria Nicholson. I think with pleasure that this summer will teach you to love M N she is prepared to think more favorably of you and I do not think she will trifle with you as she used to do. Now does your school come end? Is Mr [] obliged to devote so much time to business and does it recompense him for his trouble, did he ever receive the [] from the south ward that we spoke about

Adieu, Dear Margaret, yours with the tenderest affection

Maria Templeton