Document set '503'
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8 / 8Maple Grove 7 th moth 4 th 1840.
Mary says not one word in her note about
your plans for vacation - is not the time very near?
I should like to know how you expect to dispose of yourselves
and furthermore - if you could make it convenient
and agreeable would you come out here & sojourn two or three
days? Sister B. has set her heart upon a journey to
George Spencer's to be absent three nights and J. and S.
must need wait upon her leaving me and my bairns
to take care of ourselves as best we may. I cannot say
that I have smallest degree of unity with this arrangement
nevertheless I shall not say one word to prevent it if J.
thinks best to gratify his sisters - he proposes your coming
out as soon as you can and as you would supply their
places no expense would be incurred.
I have had a very interesting & agreeable visit of an hour and a half from Hannah Rhoads and Mary Evans a few days since- J- with his sisters and the children had just gone out to take a ride. Joseph Evans wife and daughter have also been to see us - Ann expressed a wish that you should visit her if you came to Springfield L King is still at William Trimble's we have not seen her since our arrival - much obliged to M for her trouble but Maple Grove 7 <sup>th</sup> moth 4 <sup>th</sup> 1840.
<p-bgn>Mary says not one word in her note about
your plans for vacation - is not the time very near?
I should like to know how you expect to dispose of yourselves
and furthermore - if you could make it convenient
and agreeable would you come out here & sojourn two or three
days? Sister B. has set her heart upon a journey to
George Spencer's to be absent three nights and J. and S.
must need wait upon her leaving me and my bairns
to take care of ourselves as best we may. I cannot say
that I <sup>have</sup> smallest degree of unity with this arrangement
nevertheless I shall not say one word to prevent it if J.
thinks best to gratify his sisters - he proposes your coming
out as soon as you can and as you would supply their
places no expense would be incurred.<p-end>
<p-bgn>I have had a very interesting & agreeable visit of an
hour and a half from Hannah Rhoads and Mary Evans a
few days since- J- with his sisters and the children had just
gone out to take a ride. Joseph Evans wife and daughter
have also been to see us - Ann expressed a wish that
you should visit her if you came to Springfield L King
is still at William Trimble's we have not seen her since
our arrival - much obliged to M for her trouble
but
I have had a very interesting & agreeable visit of an hour and a half from Hannah Rhoads and Mary Evans a few days since- J- with his sisters and the children had just gone out to take a ride. Joseph Evans wife and daughter have also been to see us - Ann expressed a wish that you should visit her if you came to Springfield L King is still at William Trimble's we have not seen her since our arrival - much obliged to M for her trouble but Maple Grove 7 <sup>th</sup> moth 4 <sup>th</sup> 1840.
<p-bgn>Mary says not one word in her note about
your plans for vacation - is not the time very near?
I should like to know how you expect to dispose of yourselves
and furthermore - if you could make it convenient
and agreeable would you come out here & sojourn two or three
days? Sister B. has set her heart upon a journey to
George Spencer's to be absent three nights and J. and S.
must need wait upon her leaving me and my bairns
to take care of ourselves as best we may. I cannot say
that I <sup>have</sup> smallest degree of unity with this arrangement
nevertheless I shall not say one word to prevent it if J.
thinks best to gratify his sisters - he proposes your coming
out as soon as you can and as you would supply their
places no expense would be incurred.<p-end>
<p-bgn>I have had a very interesting & agreeable visit of an
hour and a half from Hannah Rhoads and Mary Evans a
few days since- J- with his sisters and the children had just
gone out to take a ride. Joseph Evans wife and daughter
have also been to see us - Ann expressed a wish that
you should visit her if you came to Springfield L King
is still at William Trimble's we have not seen her since
our arrival - much obliged to M for her trouble
but
I really think Madame has behaved very unhandsomely
she agreed to make the proposed alteration two months
ago and I paid her for doing it before I left P__ and
now to send word after such a length of time that it was
uncertain whether she could do it seems very unreasonable
however it will teach me never never to settle with her
again in anticipation -- as to the scraps I hope thee will
tell her if thee has an opportunity that I never received
the least particle -- if I had I should not have
return'd it but none was sent to my knowledge. --
We have been very much interested in a review of the
Life of Lord Bacon and a comparison of his philosophy with
that of the ancients I should like to know what the champion
of Greek and Latin literature would think of some of the
sentiments. I must give you a little specimen." Assuredly
if the tree which Socrates planted and Plato watered, is to be
judged by its flowers & leaves it is the noblest of trees. But if we
take the homely test of Bacon -- if we judge of the tree by
its fruits -- our opinion of it may be less favourable xx the very
admiration which we feel for the eminent philosophers of
antiquity forces us to adopt the opinion, that their powers
were systematically misdirected. For how else could it be
that such power could effect so little for mankind? a pedestrian
I really think Madame has behaved very unhandsomely
she agreed to make the proposed alteration two months
ago and I paid her for doing it before I left P__ and
now to send word after such a length of time that it was
uncertain whether she could do it seems very unreasonable
however it will teach me never <del>never</del> to settle with her
again in anticipation -- as to the scraps I hope thee will
tell her if thee has an opportunity that I never received
the least particle -- if I had I should not have
return'd it but <und>none was sent to my knowledge</und>. --
<p-bgn>We have been very much interested in a review of the
Life of Lord Bacon and a comparison of his philosophy with
that of the ancients I should like to know what the champion
of Greek and Latin literature would think of some of the
sentiments. I must give you a little specimen." Assuredly
if the tree which Socrates planted and Plato watered, is to be
judged by its <und>flowers</und> & <und>leaves</und> it is the noblest of trees. But if we
take the homely test of Bacon -- if we judge of the tree by
its fruits -- our opinion of it may be less favourable xx the very
admiration which we feel for the eminent philosophers of
antiquity forces us to adopt the opinion, that their powers
were systematically misdirected. For how else could it be
that such power could effect so little for mankind? a pedestrian
she agreed to make the proposed alteration two months
ago and I paid her for doing it before I left P__ and
now to send word after such a length of time that it was
uncertain whether she could do it seems very unreasonable
however it will teach me never <del>never</del> to settle with her
again in anticipation -- as to the scraps I hope thee will
tell her if thee has an opportunity that I never received
the least particle -- if I had I should not have
return'd it but <und>none was sent to my knowledge</und>. --
<p-bgn>We have been very much interested in a review of the
Life of Lord Bacon and a comparison of his philosophy with
that of the ancients I should like to know what the champion
of Greek and Latin literature would think of some of the
sentiments. I must give you a little specimen." Assuredly
if the tree which Socrates planted and Plato watered, is to be
judged by its <und>flowers</und> & <und>leaves</und> it is the noblest of trees. But if we
take the homely test of Bacon -- if we judge of the tree by
its fruits -- our opinion of it may be less favourable xx the very
admiration which we feel for the eminent philosophers of
antiquity forces us to adopt the opinion, that their powers
were systematically misdirected. For how else could it be
that such power could effect so little for mankind? a pedestrian
may show as much muscular vigor on a treadmill as on the
highway road. But on the road his vigor will assuredly
carry him forward; and on the treadmill he will not advance
any such. The ancient philosophy was a treadmill
not a path. It was made up of revolving questions -- of controversies
which were always beginning again. xx Where this
philosopy was in the time of Cicero it continued to be in
the time of Seneca -- The same sects were still battling,
with the same unsatisfactory arguments, about the same
interminable questions. Every trace of intellectual cultivation
was there except a harvest. xx Two words form the key of the
Baconian doctrine -- Utility and Progress. The ancient philosophy
disdained to be useful and was content to be stationary.
In Plato's opinion man was made for philosophy: in Bacon's opinion
philosophy was made for man xx The aim of the Plutonian philosophy
was to exalt man into a god. The aim of the Baconian
philosophy was to provide man with what he requires while
he continues to be a man. The former aim was noble but
the latter was attainable. Plato drew a good bow but like
Acestes in Virgil he aimed at the stars; and therefore
though there was no waste of strength or skill the shot was thrown
away. His arrow was indeed followed by a track of dazzling
light radiance, but it struck nothing. Bacon fixed his eye on
a mark which was placed on the earth and within bow-shot
and
may show as much muscular vigor on a treadmill as on the
highway road. But on the road his vigor will assuredly
carry him forward; and on the treadmill he will not advance
any such. The ancient philosophy was a treadmill
not a path. It was made up of revolving questions -- of controversies
which were always beginning again. xx Where this
philosopy was in the time of Cicero it continued to be in
the time of Seneca -- The same sects were still battling,
with the same unsatisfactory arguments, about the same
interminable questions. Every trace of intellectual cultivation
<add>was there</add> except a harvest. xx Two words form the key of the
Baconian doctrine -- <und>Utility</und> and <und>Progress</und>. The ancient philosophy
disdained to be useful and was content to be stationary.
In Plato's opinion man was made for philosophy: in Bacon's opinion
philosophy was made for man xx The aim of the Plutonian philosophy
was to exalt man into a god. The aim of the Baconian
philosophy was to provide man with what he requires while
he continues to be a man. The former aim was noble but
the latter was attainable. Plato drew a good bow but like
Acestes in Virgil he aimed at the stars; and therefore
though there was no waste of strength or skill the shot was thrown
away. His arrow was indeed followed by a track of dazzling
<del>light</del> radiance, but it struck nothing. Bacon fixed his eye on
a mark which was placed on the earth and within bow-shot
and
highway road. But on the road his vigor will assuredly
carry him forward; and on the treadmill he will not advance
any such. The ancient philosophy was a treadmill
not a path. It was made up of revolving questions -- of controversies
which were always beginning again. xx Where this
philosopy was in the time of Cicero it continued to be in
the time of Seneca -- The same sects were still battling,
with the same unsatisfactory arguments, about the same
interminable questions. Every trace of intellectual cultivation
<add>was there</add> except a harvest. xx Two words form the key of the
Baconian doctrine -- <und>Utility</und> and <und>Progress</und>. The ancient philosophy
disdained to be useful and was content to be stationary.
In Plato's opinion man was made for philosophy: in Bacon's opinion
philosophy was made for man xx The aim of the Plutonian philosophy
was to exalt man into a god. The aim of the Baconian
philosophy was to provide man with what he requires while
he continues to be a man. The former aim was noble but
the latter was attainable. Plato drew a good bow but like
Acestes in Virgil he aimed at the stars; and therefore
though there was no waste of strength or skill the shot was thrown
away. His arrow was indeed followed by a track of dazzling
<del>light</del> radiance, but it struck nothing. Bacon fixed his eye on
a mark which was placed on the earth and within bow-shot
and
hit it in the white. The Philosophy of Plato began in words
and ended in words -- noble words indeed -- words such as were
to be expected from the finest of human intellects exercising
boundless dominion over the finest of human languages --
xx An acre in Middlesex is better than a principality in Utopia
The smallest actual good is better than the most magnificent
promises of impossibilities. -- xxx After these philosophers had been
declaiming eight hundred years had they made the world
better than when they began? -- xx The philosophy of Bacon has
lengthened life; it has mitigated pain; it has extinguished diseases
xxx it has guided the thunderbolt innocuously from heaven to
earth; it has lighted up the night with the splendor of the day; it
has extended the range of human vision; it has annihilated distance
it has &c &c &c &c -- what a hopeless task I have undertaken if you
come out you can read the article yourselves and then alas you will find that
the dark shades in the character of this Emperor among philosophers are
even darker than we had believed -- it is indeed with saddened
hit it in the white. The Philosophy of Plato began in words
and ended in words -- noble words indeed -- words such as were
to be expected from the finest of human intellects exercising
boundless dominion over the finest of human languages --
xx An acre in Middlesex is better than a principality in Utopia
The smallest actual good is better than the most magnificent
promises of impossibilities. -- xxx After these philosophers had been
declaiming eight hundred years had they made the world
better than when they began? -- xx The philosophy of Bacon has
lengthened life; it has mitigated pain; it has extinguished diseases
xxx it has guided the thunderbolt innocuously from heaven to
earth; it has lighted up the night with the splendor of the day; it
has extended the range of human vision; it has annihilated distance
it has &c &c &c &c -- what a hopeless task I have undertaken if you
come out you can read the article yourselves and then alas you will find that
the <und>dark</und> shades in the character of this Emperor among philosophers are
<und>even darker</und> than we had believed -- it is indeed with saddened
and ended in words -- noble words indeed -- words such as were
to be expected from the finest of human intellects exercising
boundless dominion over the finest of human languages --
xx An acre in Middlesex is better than a principality in Utopia
The smallest actual good is better than the most magnificent
promises of impossibilities. -- xxx After these philosophers had been
declaiming eight hundred years had they made the world
better than when they began? -- xx The philosophy of Bacon has
lengthened life; it has mitigated pain; it has extinguished diseases
xxx it has guided the thunderbolt innocuously from heaven to
earth; it has lighted up the night with the splendor of the day; it
has extended the range of human vision; it has annihilated distance
it has &c &c &c &c -- what a hopeless task I have undertaken if you
come out you can read the article yourselves and then alas you will find that
the <und>dark</und> shades in the character of this Emperor among philosophers are
<und>even darker</und> than we had believed -- it is indeed with saddened
feelings "we turn away from the checkered spectacle of so much glory and so much
shame." -- Firstay evening -- I intended to have made some
addition to this note today but Dr H. has been with us this afternoon and
now the children are to be attended to -- these same children seem to be in
pretty good case they enjoy the country in the superlative degree and
are favoured with excellent health & spirits -- one of their greatest pleasures
is an evening stroll to see the sunset -- Joe watches the changing beauty
feelings "we turn away from the checkered spectacle of so much glory and so much
shame." -- Firstay evening -- I intended to have made some
addition to this note today but Dr H. has been with us this afternoon and
now the children are to be attended to -- these same children seem to be in
pretty good case they enjoy the country in the superlative degree and
are favoured with excellent health & spirits -- one of their greatest pleasures
is an evening stroll to see the sunset -- Joe watches the changing beauty<p-end>
feelings "we turn away from the checkered spectacle of so much glory and so much
shame." -- Firstay evening -- I intended to have made some
addition to this note today but Dr H. has been with us this afternoon and
now the children are to be attended to -- these same children seem to be in
pretty good case they enjoy the country in the superlative degree and
are favoured with excellent health & spirits -- one of their greatest pleasures
is an evening stroll to see the sunset -- Joe watches the changing beauty<p-end>
of the sky with the most animated delight & Frank mimics his air
and words as if he relished the scene with equal pleasure --
How came D. Maule to spend an evening with you? -- H Richardson
sends a letter or note almost every time J. goes to town she mentioned
in her last the death of R. Pierce -- and today Catharine Evans told
me of Mary Brown's decease -- what an afflicting dispensation!!
of the sky with the most animated delight & Frank mimics his air
and words as if he relished the scene with equal pleasure --
How came D. Maule to spend an evening with you? -- H Richardson
sends a letter or note almost every time J. goes to town she mentioned
in her last the death of R. Pierce -- and today Catharine Evans told
me of Mary Brown's decease -- what an afflicting dispensation!!<p-end>
of the sky with the most animated delight & Frank mimics his air
and words as if he relished the scene with equal pleasure --
How came D. Maule to spend an evening with you? -- H Richardson
sends a letter or note almost every time J. goes to town she mentioned
in her last the death of R. Pierce -- and today Catharine Evans told
me of Mary Brown's decease -- what an afflicting dispensation!!<p-end>
we are invited to Joseph Rhoad's some time this week while Thomas H. E.
are there -- they go to P. to the funeral but return I presume -- you know
Mildred R. was there nearly a week -- we fully intended to see her but she took
wing so suddenly we were disappointed Mary E. said she had not been dressed
from the time she came till about quarter of an hour before she commenced
her journey -- but she told them she now saw home & the word was "go, nothing
doubting" -- J expects to be in town the latter part of the week do write if
you can -- and tell me if you found time to read all this scribbling
and whether you wish'd Lord Bacon at the North Pole --
Love to D.-- and cousin A. H. if you see her -- J says she talks of coming out I wish she would -- M. G. R.
we are invited to Joseph Rhoad's some time this week while Thomas H. E.
are there -- they go to P. to the funeral but return I presume -- you know
Mildred R. was there nearly a week -- we fully intended to see her but she took
wing so suddenly we were disappointed Mary E. said she had not been dressed
from the time she came till about quarter of an hour before she commenced
her journey -- but she told them she now saw home & the word was "go, nothing
doubting" -- J expects to be in town the latter part of the week do write if
you can -- and tell me if you found time to read all this scribbling
and whether you wish'd Lord Bacon at <add>the</add> North Pole --<p-end>
<p-bgn>Love to D.-- and cousin A. H. if you see her -- J says she talks of
coming out I wish she would -- M. G. R.<p-end>
Love to D.-- and cousin A. H. if you see her -- J says she talks of coming out I wish she would -- M. G. R.
we are invited to Joseph Rhoad's some time this week while Thomas H. E.
are there -- they go to P. to the funeral but return I presume -- you know
Mildred R. was there nearly a week -- we fully intended to see her but she took
wing so suddenly we were disappointed Mary E. said she had not been dressed
from the time she came till about quarter of an hour before she commenced
her journey -- but she told them she now saw home & the word was "go, nothing
doubting" -- J expects to be in town the latter part of the week do write if
you can -- and tell me if you found time to read all this scribbling
and whether you wish'd Lord Bacon at <add>the</add> North Pole --<p-end>
<p-bgn>Love to D.-- and cousin A. H. if you see her -- J says she talks of
coming out I wish she would -- M. G. R.<p-end>
Can you name these
flowers? I thought at
first the yellow one was
St Johns wort but I find
no holes in the leaves --
H. and. M. P. Gibbons.
Philadelphia.
<p-bgn>Can you name these
flowers? I thought at
first the yellow one was
St Johns wort but I find
no holes in the leaves --
H. and. M. P. Gibbons.
Philadelphia.
flowers? I thought at
first the yellow one was
St Johns wort but I find
no holes in the leaves --
H. and. M. P. Gibbons.
Philadelphia.