5

I expect you will tell me to wait until you write
me, but I had thought of that and concluded
it would be the best to get a smaltering
of the services now, while I am young.
Now dont omit to answer this inquiry
for I am really in earnest and shall
rely upon your superior knowledge to
[illegible] guide me in the choice of an author.
Dont be envious now and fear I will rival
you in any National History pursuits - (though I
really do think there may be some danger which
I will only admit parenthetically however) -
If I dont commence to stop immediately I shall
be forced to annex[underlined] an extra slip of paper I have
such a bad habit of spinning long yarns
I admit it is my besitting sin, as it was
that of the "old Gentleman" who wrote the