1830 July 29, Woodbourne, to Brother, Philadelphia

              Woodbourne 7mo. 29th 1830

Dear Brother:



The idea presented in thine of ye 20 inst. of finding me out in the woods, I may truly say, excited in me very pleasant feelings; tho' at ye same time, I feel as if I can scarcely dare to invite you, for reasons that I think it wd. not be proper to mention in a letter. I will give thee a remote exception of what amongst other things, I allude to, by refering to a frequent remark, that in every flock, there is a black sheep, & a Judas in every community. more than this, I ought not to say. I believe I have never hesitated to answer any query put to me by relatives & friends respecting my situation, nor have I any objections to doing so, unless I may have a very particular reason for secrecy. but Marmaduke will perhaps from having been an impartial spectator, be more likely to give thee a satisfactory description of Woodbourne than myself.- E. Walker bro't me thy letter whilst I was spending ye evening as usual, with his family. I mentioned what was said by thee about visiting me. George desired me to tell thee that they shd. be very glad to see thee: and Priscilla said, tell him to bring Rachel &Martha. they all seemed to be as glad to see Marmaduke & our other cousins, as if they had been their own relations. it seemed to me to be quite like an era in ye history of Woodbourne, when my City relations had actually paid me a visit.- I think you had better come on, and take us by surprise as they did, and thus give us no time to think about any obstructions, objections, or difficulties. with regard to any pecuniary considerations, I think I cd. fully satisfy my neighbours, tho' they will not listen to any direct proposition relative to consideration money.- in expressing what precedes, I have used ye freedom, which ought to exist in ye intercourse between brothers. to one, who does not stand in ye same relationship to me as thyself, I wd. have felt some hesitation in saying what I have said to thee.- I was much interested in reading thy description of ye proposed institution for imparting instruction in ye higher branches of learning to the children of Friends, and had no idea that so great an advance had been made towards affecting ye object in view. it is a noble undertaking, & if accomplished, will tend to increase ye reputation of the Society. the sup-