Page:A Life of Matthew Fontaine Maury.pdf/60

46 I am keeping bachelor's hall for the present. Miles, the porter, and I can vie with you in economy. His and my expenses for one week, including marketing, board, &c, amounting to exactly forty eight cents. Moreover, there was generally a midshipman to tea.

. . . . Lewis Herndon is now attached to this office. He and his wife (Mit) are messing with me now. . ..

Last week, when I was in New York, I occupied your room. I counted and recounted your "Little Niggers" over the mantlepiece oftener than Gil Blas did his ducats. You know, between morning naps, counting numbers is a regular thing with me. I try to make the mind do something to give it the habit of obedience to the will, whenever the faculties are not sleeping. It kicked terribly though at having to imagine every morning the middle profile in a line with the rest. Then there was one looking back; she must be taken down and put in front. Those profile pictures are, to me, the most eloquent exponents of affection and love. It may be association; I suppose it is.

. . . . We are all in our usual state of health, except perhaps myself. The doctor said I was destroying myself with over-much head work, and in consequence, I have had to hold up somewhat. But it is a hard case that one's brains will not stand the work of one's will.

Certain it is that, after working from nine or ten in the morning till one or two at night, I begin to look and feel badly.