1832 October 24, Philadelphia, to S.

              Philadelphia 10 mo 24. 1832



I have often thought of thee since leaving Bloomsdale, and feel quite desirous to have a little conversation with thee upon paper. there is something animating in placing ourselves in imagination by the side of a fair lady, and holding sweet converse with.
 


"Woman, lovely woman, whom Heaven designed to temper man."

"We had been brutes without thee."


	
I hope I shall have the pleasure ere long of paying my respects to thee in person, but as I wish to do my best to please thee, I must not tire thee by too early repetition of my last visit. I hope also that I shall be less and less stiff and formal in my manners, as our acquaintance & friendship advances and increases it happily, such should be the tendency of things. A young lady possessing the recommendations of youth, beauty and accomplishments, told a mutual friend at Woodbourne, not a great while since, that the greatest objects on she had to make against me, was that of being to reserved. Alas! I could not say the same with regard to herself, much as I appreciated many traits of her character, she wished she said, that she could take the liberty of telling me what she thought of me. As amongst our best friends, are those who tell us of our faults, I could not but feel grateful for the reproof, though indirectly made, and hope to be improved by it. I shall also feel grateful to my dear friend Susan, if she will point out with frankness and freedom any faults that I may possess. But I pray thee not to do it, so as to give the appearance of its being done with the intention of wounding my feelings. I am keenly sensitive to a blow struck with such a view. It is a great mistake entertained by some ladies, that