You will, perhaps, think me a terrible harum-scarum fellow to be continually falling in love in this way, but I have a dread of being an old bachelor, and I am now twenty-five years of age.

There is still no need of hurry; the young lady is but sixteen.  But all this is thinking aloud to you; I make you my confidants; I wish your advice; nothing shall be done precipitately.

Of course all that I say is between you and me, for it all may come to nothing; I have some experience that way.

What I have done I have done prayerfully.  I have prayed to the Giver of every good gift that He will direct me in this business; that, if it will not be to his glory and the good of his Kingdom, He will frustrate all; that, if He grants me prosperity, He will grant me a heart to use it aright; and, if adversity, that He will teach me submission to his will; and that, whatever may be my lot here, I may not fall short of eternal happiness hereafter.

I hope you will remember me in your prayers, and especially in reference to a connection in life.

I do not think that his parents took this matter very seriously at first.  His was an intensely affectionate nature, and they had often heard these same raptures before.  However, like wise parents, they did not scoff.  His mother wrote on August 23, 1816, in answer:  “With respect to the other confidential matter, I hope the Lord will direct you to a proper choice.  We know nothing of the family, good or bad.  We do not wish you to be an old bachelor, nor do we wish you to precipitate yourself and others into difficulties which you cannot get rid of.”

In the same letter his father says:  “In regard to the subject on which you ask our advice, we refer it, after the experience you have had, and with the advice you have often had from us, to your own judgment.  Be not hasty in entering into any engagement; enquire with caution and delicacy; do everything that is honorable and gentlemanly respecting yourself and those concerned.  ’Pause, ponder, sift.—­Judge before friendship—­then confide till death.’ (Young.) Above all, commit the subject to God in prayer and ask his guidance and blessing.  I am glad to find you are doing this.”

How well he obeyed his father’s injunctions may be gathered from the following letter, which speaks for itself:—­

CONCORD, September 2, 1816.

MY DEAR PARENTS,—­I have just received yours of August 29.  I leave town to-morrow morning, probably for Hanover, as there is no conveyance direct to Walpole.

I have had no more portraits since I wrote you, so that I have received just one hundred dollars in Concord.  The last I took for ten dollars, as the person I painted obtained four of my sitters for me....