I sit down to write, though I feel very languid. The approach of spring
unstrings my nerves, and the south winds have the same effect upon me
which Brydone says the sirocco winds have upon the inhabitants of
Sicily. It gives the vapors--blows away all their gayety and spirits,
and gives a degree of lassitude both to the body and mind which renders
them absolutely incapable of performing their usual functions.
He adds that "it is not surprising that it should produce these effects
upon a phlegmatic English constitution; but that he had just had an
instance that all the mercury of France must sink under the weight of
this horrid leaden atmosphere. A smart Parisian Marquis came to Naples
about ten days ago. He was so full of animal spirits that the people
thought him mad. He never remained a moment in the same place, but at
their grave conversations used to skip from room to room with such
amazing elasticity that the Italians swore he had got springs in his
shoes. I met him this morning walking with the step of a philosopher, a
smelling bottle in his hand and all his vivacity extinguished. I asked
what was the matter. 'Ah, mon ami,' said he, 'je m'ennuie a la
mort-moi, qui n'ai jamais scu l'ennui. Mais cet execrable vent
m'accable; et deux jours de plus, et je me pend.'"
I think the author of "Common Sense" somewhere says that no persons make
use of quotations but those who are destitute of ideas of their own.
Though this may not at all times be true, yet I am willing to
acknowledge it at present.
Yours of the 9th of March received by the post. 'T is said here that
Howe is meditating another visit to Philadelphia. If so, I would advise
him to taking down all the doors, that the panels may not suffer for the
future.
'T is said here that General Washington has but eight thousand troops
with him. Can it be true? That we have but twelve hundred at
Ticonderoga? I know not who has the care of raising them here, but this
I know, we are very dilatory about it. All the troops which were
stationed upon Nantasket and at Boston are dismissed this week, so that
we are now very fit to receive an enemy. I have heard some talk of
routing the enemy at Newport; but if anything was designed against them,
believe me 't is wholly laid aside. Nobody seems to consider them as
dangerous, or indeed to care anything about them. Where is General
Gates? We hear nothing of him.
The Church doors were shut up last Sunday in consequence of a
presentiment; a farewell sermon preached and much weeping and wailing;
persecuted, be sure, but not for righteousness' sake. The conscientious
parson had taken an oath upon the Holy Evangelists to pray for his most
gracious Majesty as his sovereign lord, and having no father confessor
to absolve him, he could not omit it without breaking his oath.
Who is to have the command at Ticonderoga? Where is General Lee? How is
he treated? Is there a scarcity of grain in Philadelphia? How is flour
sold there by the hundred?
We are just beginning farming business. I wish most sincerely you were
here to amuse yourself with it and to unbend your mind from the cares of
State. I hope your associates are more to your mind than they have
been in times past. Suppose you will be joined this month by two from
this State. Adieu.
Yours.