2

in Philad:--I have heard, tho' not from himself that he has been successful. I hope
if this be the case he will have perseverence and prudence enough to continue
attentive to his real interest, he he has so small a portion of either of these quali-
ties, is so much the creature of circumstance, that chance, alone (as the world terms
it) can keep him steady. I feel an interested in his well being and most sin-
cerely wish his prospects of providing for a family were such as to enable him
to marry. Espousing a worthy woman would be the surest and perhaps the
only menas of giving him permanency of character. Have you seen his last
novel, Clara Howard, I think it would keep your attention alive to the end, and
it has an end, or more properly speaking a conclusion, for he frequently appears
to my limited comprehension to write without any aim. Novels, I think, ought
at least to have the merit of inculcating some moral principle. I have read one
last winter you recommended and like it much, altho' there are in it many
imfringements of probability, yet I have learned something from "Plain Sense."--
I have read "Modern Philosophers" lately, I do not relish satire as much as formerly.
The exaggeration strikes me more unpleasantly, more as a violation of justice, as an
unfair advantage. Of the sincere part of this work I approved, and thought
it well adapted to shew the fatal tendency of Godwin's principles, and perhaps
on some minds the ludicrous may be more impressive and more beneficial,
but on mine its effects are disagreeable.

I have finished Burns works, and his life by Dr Currie, the whole in 4 volumes
and have received great gratification from the perusal. Perhaps Dr Currie
is rather too favourable a biographer, yet his dwelling on the early scenes
of the poet's life, when he could exhibit the delightful picture of an ar-
dent and virtuous mind, stemming a torrent of difficulties and disasters
that would have overwhelmed a feebler spirit, springing with renovated
vigour, on the terra-firma of independence, hailed by the loud plau-
dits of an approving public, is far more desirable to a pure mind, than a
display of degraded Genius, where tho' pity must claim a tear, that he who so
well portrayed virtue, and in nature and education had implanted
its germs, should not practise it, judgment must deliberately condemn.

I did not imagine I should have been so well entertained with the business
of song weaving, but I went thro' the fourth vol: with much satisfaction.--

I expect Fanny Johnson to call for me every minute to attend church, we
heard an excellent sermon from Mr Miller this morning on "Evil speaking"--
I shall treasure up every idea in it, as of great value, I wish all present may