9

Oak Lawn, March 23th 1836
My pen does sometimes relieve my feelings
May it bring me out. I am too sleepy now
for reflection or comment.
26th A fine day this. I will amuse myself.
Walking out on one morning bright night in a
certain county Town, I retired alone along the river
banks enjoying the lovely scene and communing
with myself. Returning to my boarding house I
past along a house in which I heard several
voices of both sexes. The character of this house
I suspected and so was about to pass on when I
heard the voice of a gentleman who I well knew was
my intimate friend. For the gratification of curious-
ity, I thought I would for once see the interior of
such a house the character of which I was
not certain but suspected. Information I thou-
ght was sometimes gained in the very sinks of
iniquity while my conscience and my honor in-
terposed to the reserve of my person from so inde-
cent a company: my morals it would seem were
about to suffer. But judgement or common
sense soon decided. Indulge your curiousity, behold
and then judge, but be profited, go not to catch
the disease but to cure it. Being a man of the
world, in pursuit of knowledge and knowledge some
things only by report, therefore know then not
at all: being a lawyer who should be bold
yet modest, well versed in human nature yet
entertaining the noblest and most delicate
sentiments: determined therefore to indulge
curiousity for the sake of knowledge, I first hesita
ting, ascended at length up the high steps, [hailed]
and was admited, and lo! man, woman, and
and shocking obscenity. Since all of my respectable
acquaintance were here and cordially greeted
me, Although shocked and indignant for some
were married men, I concealed my emotions and
to make the best of situation, I apparently thou
gh in reality did not, participated, this is seeming
to countenance what was before me. Modesty and
morals were here put to the [bl--]. Low life, wretched indeed.