1819 October 9, Philadelphia, to Ellen

              I have just recieved my dear Ellens Letter of 5th addess'd to me; and am much more pleased with the stile in which it is written, than I was with the one that preceded it, address'd to thy Sister.  The latter done no credit either to thy heart or judgement.  Thy Father condemned it in to-to, as the sauciest little girls Letter he thought he had ever seen; & thou knowest he is not very rigid; or as some would say, not at all particular or precise; so when he is offended thou mayest conclude thy improprieties must be very striking indeed.  My Daughter should ever recollect that when she asks a favor, it should not be in the high tone of a demand: it should not be claimed as a Right, which if not immediately complied with is to be forthwith resented as an injury; but when she wishes for attentions, her wishes should be modestly insinuated, not as tho' she believed them due to her merit, on account of her great worth & services for which she expected extraordinary returns; but as tho her Affection prompted her to desire them, at the same time that she was conscious she could do & had done but little, for her friends; while their time & thought, & industry was often exerted in providing for her Wants, & promoting her Welfare.  This would lead her to be content with such portions as they could conveniently bestow, & grateful when she recieved them: she would dwell upon every instance of their kindness & cherish the remembrance of it, as an evidence of love for which she had never, as yet, had the power to render an equivalent, & she would hasten to qualify herself to become useful to them, in her turn, especially to her Mother, who, if she lives, must shortly be overtaken by Age & its attendant infirmities.  Then the kind offices, the endearments & domestic services of a dutiful affectionate Daughter, are an invaluable treasure.  These considerations, when once embraced, cannot fail to sink deep in the heart of sensibility" & will, if cherished, bring forth those substantial [-------] of Virtue in my beloved daughter, which my heart