“Governor, I have something in me too, and I am just now in a place not calculated to develope or cultivate the finer part of a man’s nature.  My associates, without an exception, are boors and donkeys, not unfrequently combining the agreeable properties of both in one anomalous animal yclept a clown.  With them my days, for the greater part, are spent; and my nights in a series of calculations almost equally extinguishing to any brightness of mind or spirit.  The consequence is I feel my light put out! —­ not hid under a bushel, but absolutely quenched in its proper existence.  I felt so when I began to write this letter; but by dint of looking steadily for so long a time towards you, I perceive a reflection of light and warmth coming back upon me and beginning to take effect upon my own tinder, whereby I gather that it is capable of being ignited again.  Seriously, Winthrop, I am sick of this. This was not what we left home for.  I suppose in time, and with business enough, one might make money in this way, but money is not our object in life.  It cannot satisfy me, and I trust not you.  What shall I do?  I must finish this piece of work —­ that will keep me in the wilds and fastnesses of this beautiful region (for it is a superb country, Winthrop; nature goes far here to make up for the want of all other discoursers whatever.  I have sometimes felt as if she would make a poet of me, would I, nold I,) the finishing of my work here will detain me in the North at least till June or July of the coming summer; perhaps August.  And then it is intimated to me my services would be acceptable out West —­ somewhere near Sawcusto.  I have a great mind to come to Mannahatta —­ perhaps take a tutorship till something better offers —­ Herder said I would have no sort of difficulty in getting one, or at least he said what amounted to that —­ and perhaps, eventually, enter the political line.  I am undecided, except in my disapprobation and dislike of what and where I now am.  I have half an inclination to study law with you.  It is hard to do anything with Fortune’s wheel when one is at the very bottom; and the jade seems to act as if you were a drag upon her.  And it is hard that you and I should be at opposite sides of the world while we are both tugging at said wheel.  I sometimes think we could work to more advantage nearer together; we could work with somewhat more comfort.  I am in exile here.  Write me as soon as you can.

“My pleasantest thoughts are of you.  Herder is as good as he can be, and you are his favourite; you will presently have the best literary society, through his means.  You don’t speak of Haye.  Don’t you go there?  You had better, Winthrop; —­ you may find a short cut to the top of Fortune’s wheel through the front door of his house.  At any rate, there are two very pretty girls there and a number of other pleasant things, with which you will do well to make yourself acquainted, come thereafter what may.  I wrote to them at home a week or two ago.