1805 August 9, Philadelphia, to Francis, Weston

              Philadelphia 8 mo 9 1805.

My dear Francis, 
I send thee with this a present, as a mark of my love; not in the least doubting thy generosity & kindness to thy dear Brother, who I trust thee loves with all thy heart and will endeavour to encourage in everything that is praise-worthy as far as thy little knowledge extends. 
It would be a gratification exceeding the powers of expression to know that my childrens disposition was such that they could scarce enjoy a good thing, without the participation of some one of their near and dear friends.If thou hast anything of this disposition, my Francis, thou wilt not fail to impart to thy Brother a large share of all the good things thou hast. 
I have the rather given thee this power of my child, because in time past, I have observed thee to be generously dispos'd not meaning that Henry was not so too at times; but alas! Children sometimes alter and that not for the better - but I still strive to cherish a hope, that if mine should, unhappily for them, be of this number, they will soon, thro' mercy, become sensible of their errors and return. Do you study your [Map of] The paths of life and where they lead? 
I now recollect that not long ago I observed Francis, several times saving his good things for his little Sister - preferring the pleasure of seeing her eat them, to eating them himself. What pleasure is there in this world, equal to that of having a heart capable of enjoying the happiness of others? I will appeal to the feelings of every one who has once tasted it, if it is not more delightful than sitting in a corner and eating their morsel alone? yes: surely: for in the one case, when they have done eating, then pleasure is at an end, but in the other it is lasting - every time they think of it they can enjoy it over again