y they are not easily
stopped.

Feb. 27.--This day being too stormy for me to go to any school, and
nothing as yet having happen'd that is worth your notice, my aunt gives
me leave to communicate to you something that much pleas'd her when she
heard of it, & which I hope will please you my Papa and Mamma. I believe
I may have inform'd you that since I have been in Boston, Dr. Byles[55]
has pretty frequently preached & sometimes administer'd the sacrament,
when our Candidates have preached to the O.S. Church, because they are
not tho't qualified to administer Gospel Ordinance, till they be settled
Pastours. About two months ago a brother of the church sent Dr Byles a
Card which contain'd after the usual introduction, the following words,
Mr W---- dont set up for an Expositor of Scripture, yet ventures to send
Dr. Byles a short comment on 1 Cor. ix. 11. which he thinks agreeable to
the genuine import of the text, & hopes the Dr will not disapprove it.
The comment was a dozen pounds of Chocolate &c.--To which the D^r
return'd the following very pretty answer. D^r Byles returns respects to
Mr W & most heartily thanks him for his judicious practical Familie
Expositor, which is in Tast. My aunt Deming gives her love to you mamma,
and bids me tell you, as a matter you will be very glad to know, that
D^r Byles & his lady & family, have enjoy'd a good share of health &
perfect harmony for several years past.

Mr Beacon is come home. My unkle Neddy is very comfortable, has very
little pain, & know fever with his broken bone. My Unkle Harry[56] was
here yesterday & is very well. Poor Mrs Inches is dangerously ill of a
fever. We have not heard how she does today.

March 4th.--Poor Mrs Inches is dead. Gone from a world of trouble, as
she has left this to her poor mother. Aunt says she heartyly pities Mrs
Jackson. Mr Nat. Bethune died this morning, Mrs Inches last night.

We had the greatest fall of snow yesterday we have had this winter. Yet
cousin Sally, miss Polly, & I rode to & from meeting in Mr Soley's
chaise both forenoon & afternoon, & with a stove[57] was very
comfortable there. If brother John is as well and hearty as cousin
Frank, he is a clever boy. Unkle Neddy continues very comfortable. I saw
him last saturday. I have just now been writing four lines in my Book
almost as well as the copy. But all the intreaties in the world will not
prevail upon me to do always as well as I can, which is not the least
trouble to