1833 September 27, Woodbourne, to S.

              Woodbourne 9mo. 27. 1833.



Dear S.

The witty letter was duly received, and I cherished a deep sense of obligation to the fellow mortal, who takes so much interest in the welfare of a pitiable solitary & disheartened being like myself as thus to set my sins in order and array before me. I hardly think that some of what I should call the worst or most incorrect parts of the letter, are either the production of lead or pen. at least they appear to me to be different from anything that I have heretofore known to emanate from that source. but even if I am mistaken, as the intention is good and the act in that view of it such as we should expect from a best friend, I am still flattered and derive consolation from the reflection. it is all fair, though I fear, forming my opinion from a review of the parts alluded to, that the author may have been partially influenced by clishmaclaver or tea table scandal of some recently assembled party & forgot for the time, the just and righteous rule, audi alteram partem, hear both sides. As to Lord Chesterfield, I had always supposed, that there was a better book than his, from which to draw "rules' to be practised on the journey of life".  he may nevertheless do well enough for the saloon or drawing room. I trust however that I shall always be willing to be put right when I am wrong; and shall therefore scan my Lord’s pages, and study his code, with greater diligence and attention than heretofore. Mankind is a bundle of prejudices, inconsistencies, and diverse notions and ideas. in France, for instance, customs are universal, which in England or according to the Chesterfield code, would be entirely & arbitrarily proscribed and so, vice versa. I need only mention the disgust with which a Frenchman