Inconstant fortune after a long scene of frowning, has at last assumed a smile & blessed me with an opportunity of presenting my dear brother with a few lines the dictates of a sincere breast always afflicted with the most piercing stings of grief when he is subject to the least pain, & puff'd up with the most exquisite pleasures when he is happy, & in short never enjoying any diversion fully, unless he is in great degree a partaker.

     O how, how often! do I recollect and call to mind the time, in which we, when little children under the eyes of our dear parents, have enjoyed such a scene of uninterrupted happiness, never parted only for a few hours by sleep or little parties of pleasure, & never expecting to be thus separated, and not only separated; but even deprive<d> of the opportunity of hearing from each other, the only satisfaction that can possibly attend our disagreeable separation. For now three long months june, July & August have roll'd on without my ever receiving a line from you; but notwithstanding I still entertain hopes & flatter myself that letters are on the rode & will soon come to hand; for I have had too many proofs of my brothers sincerity & attachment not to be certain he will not omit writing when ever he can make it convenient, since my happiness in this remote & solitary Place depends so much upon it.

     Last year anxious to see you, I laid a plan to pay you a visit in Philidelphia; when the time arrived to put my scheme in execution, I found it impossible to obtain money, clothes & other things necessary to accomplish such a journey, & therefore contented myself at home as well as possible; but was often induced to take many an hours walk alone in the garden after dusk attentive to nothing but you, thinking I saw you, was talking to you about things past, present & to come, and mutually congratulating one another upon being blessed with such tender & affectionate parents, who make us, and our improvement, their chief aim & satisfaction; but finding these solitary walks produced a disagreeable pleasure (if I may be allow'd the expression) I avoided them as much as possible & put on a pleasant countenance; but not such a one (so far did nature exceed art) as is accompany'd by a joyous heart.

     I received letters lately from Bushfield dated July 30th and have the pleasure to inform you that they, as well as the families of Blenhiem & Mont clear were at that time well. Papa begs you'l try to obtain for us 1 Horace, 1 Cunn's Euclid, 2 Cicero's Orations, & a Westminster Greek Gramm<ar> published in the year 1754, and send them as soon as possible to Frederick-Town.

     Mr Booth and family desire their compliments to you.

     I beg y<ou to> remember me friendly to all my acquainta<nces> in Philidelphia.

     I am my dear brother with best wishes for your health & prosperity your very affectionate & sincere friend