TO MRS. LUCY SUMNER.
Hartford.
DEAR LUCY,

I intended, this week, to have
journeyed to Bo&longs;ton with Julia Granby; but
my re&longs;olution fails me. I find it painful even
to think of mixing again with the gay multitude.
I believe the melancholy reflections,
by which I am oppre&longs;&longs;ed, will be more effectually,
if not more ea&longs;ily &longs;urraounted, by tarrying
where they are rendered familiar, than
by going from them awhile, and then returning.

Julia will therefore go without me. I envy
her no enjoyment there, except your company.

The &longs;ub&longs;titution of friend&longs;hip in the place
of love for Major Sanford, I find productive
of agreeable &longs;en&longs;ations. With him, he a&longs;&longs;ures
me, it is a far more calm, and rational pleasure.
He treats me with the affection and tenderness
of a brother; and his wife, who exceeds
him in pro&longs;e&longs;&longs;ions of regard, with all the
con&longs;oling &longs;oftne&longs;s, and attention of a &longs;i&longs;ter.
Indeed, their politene&longs;s has greatly contributed

[figure description] Page 192.[end figure description]

to revive the cheerfulne&longs;s of my natural disposition.

I believe the major's former partiality to
me, as a lover, is intirely obliterated; and for
my part, I feel as little re&longs;traint in his company,
and his lady's, as in that of any other in
the neighborhood.

I very much regret the departure of Julia;
and hope you will permit her to return to me
again, as &longs;oon as po&longs;&longs;ible. She is a valuable
friend. Her mind is well cultivated; and
&longs;he has trea&longs;ured up a fund of knowledge
and information, which renders her company
both agreeable and u&longs;eful in every &longs;ituation of
life. We lately &longs;pent the afternoon and evening
at Mr. Smith's. They had a considerable
number of vi&longs;itants; and among the re&longs;t,
Major Sanford. His wife was expected, but
did not come, being indi&longs;po&longs;ed.

I believe, my friend, you mu&longs;t excu&longs;e me if
my letters are &longs;horter than formerly. Writing
is not &longs;o agreeable to me as it u&longs;ed to be.
I love my friends as well as ever; but I
think they mu&longs;t be weary of the gloom and
dulne&longs;s which pervades my pre&longs;ent correspondence.
When my pen &longs;hall have regained
its original fluency and alertne&longs;s, I will re&longs;ume
and prolong the plea&longs;ing ta&longs;k.

I am, my dear Lucy, your's mo&longs;t affectionately,