e of three deep, but very
lively from the frequent sound of the pestle and
mortar.

Tuesday [January 24, 1809].

I had the happiness yesterday of a letter from
Charles, but I shall say as little about it as
possible, because I know _that_ excruciating Henry
will have had a letter likewise, to make all my
intelligence valueless. It was written at Bermuda
on the 7th and 10th of December. All well, and
Fanny[199] still only in expectation of being
otherwise. He had taken a small prize in his late
cruise--a French schooner, laden with sugar; but
bad weather parted them, and she had not yet been
heard of. His cruise ended December 1st. My
September letter was the latest he had received.

* * * * *

You rejoice me by what you say of Fanny.[200] I
hope she will not turn good-for-nothing this ever
so long. We thought of and talked of her yesterday
with sincere affection, and wished her a long
enjoyment of all the happiness to which she seems
born. While she gives happiness to those about her
she is pretty sure of her own share.

I am gratified by her having pleasure in what I
write, but I wish the knowledge of my being
exposed to her discerning criticism may not hurt
my style, by inducing too great a solicitude. I
begin already to weigh my words and sentences more
than I did, and am looking about for a sentiment,
an illustration, or a metaphor in every corner of
the room. Could my ideas flow as fast as the rain
in the store closet it would be charming.

We have been in two or three dreadful states
within the last week, from the melting of the
snow, &c., and the contest between us and the
closet has now ended in our defeat. I have been
obliged to move almost everything out of it, and
leave it to splash itself as it likes.

You have by no means raised my curiosity after
Caleb.[201] My disinclination for it before was
affected, but now it is real. I do not like the
evangelicals. Of course I shall be delighted when
I read it, like other people, but t