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Dear Kind Friend

The Studies and employment of my profession are my excuse for returning one late answer to your two friendly and welcome letters, and the same excuse seems likely to serve me on similar occasions as long as I live; “labour which seems to be my portion in this life” as your justly admired English Homer says, I am contented with, I thank God that he has given this portion instead of idleness, and that he has seasoned it with all the delights of the Intellectual and visible worlds, after receving [sic] so rich a treasure, any part should be only to implore a Spirit of diligence and œconomy to cultivate and use the gift —

I am greatly concerned for your indisposition at the time when you sent the beautiful Sonnet to my Wife. I hope you have been perfectly recovered long before this, I rejoice with You that Thomas was not hurt by his fall and I expect to rejoice doubly in his