General Washington was a remarkable instance of what I have now recommended to you.  His letters are a perfect model for epistolary writers.  They are written with great uniformity in respect to the handwriting and disposition of the several parts of the letter.  I will show you some of his letters when I have the pleasure of seeing you next vacation, and when I shall expect to find you much improved.

Your natural disposition, my dear son, renders it proper for me earnestly to recommend to you to attend to one thing at a time.  It is impossible that you can do two things well at the same time, and I would, therefore, never have you attempt it.  Never undertake to do what ought not to be done, and then, whatever you undertake, endeavor to do it in the best manner.

It is said of De Witt, a celebrated statesman in Holland, who was torn to pieces in the year 1672, that he did the whole business of the republic and yet had time left to go to assemblies in the evening and sup in company.  Being asked how he could possibly find time to go through so much business and yet amuse himself in the evenings as he did, he answered there was nothing so easy, for that it was only doing one thing at a time, and never putting off anything till to-morrow that could be done to-day.  This steady and undissipated attention to one object is a sure mark of a superior genius, as hurry, bustle, and agitation are the never-failing symptoms of a weak and frivolous mind.

I expect you will read this letter over several times that you may retain its contents in your memory, and give me your own opinion on the advice I have given you.  If you improve this well, I shall be encouraged to give you more as you may need it.

Your affectionate parent,
J. Morse.

This was written to a boy ten years old.  I wonder if he was really able to assimilate it.

I shall pass rapidly over the next few years, for, while there are many letters which make interesting reading, there are so many more of the later years of greater historical value that I must not yield to the temptation to linger.

The three brothers were all sent to Phillips Academy to prepare for Yale, from which college their father was also graduated.

The following letter from Finley to his brothers was written while he was temporarily at home, and shows the deep religious bent of his mind which he kept through life:—­

Charlestown, March 15, 1805.

My dear brothers,—­I now write you again to inform you that mama had a baby, but it was born dead and has just been buried.  Now you have three brothers and three sisters in heaven and I hope you and I will meet them there at our death.  It is uncertain when we shall die, but we ought to be prepared for it, and I hope you and I shall.

I read a question in Davie’s “Sermons” the last Sunday which was this:—­ Suppose a bird should take one dust of this earth and carry it away once in a thousand years, and you was to take your choice either to be miserable in that time and happy hereafter, or happy in that time and miserable hereafter, which would you choose?  Write me an answer to this in your next letter....