Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/66

 and gownless. A wig is thought superfluous, when nature has given hair to the head, whether of a judge or a barrister.

10th.—By Mr. Gray I was this day introduced to the most respectable bookseller in Boston, in order that he, Mr. Armstrong, and others, might view my friend Heath's sample of English quarto Bibles, of unequalled elegance. I sent them; but a note, politely written, soon accompanied their return; stating that on account of the extreme scarcity of money, the gentlemen declined purchasing, but wished to do me service.

Intending to quit Boston on Monday, Mr. Lyman called on me, and took a formal leave, but wished me to revisit him, now or at a future time; saying that his brother, a large proprietor and farmer in the district of Maine, wished to see and communicate with me on agricultural matters. I also called on, and bid a final farewell to my friend Mr. Gray, who very kindly put into my hand an introductory letter to his bankers and agents at Charleston, with a liberal purse of dollars, which he thought I should need before I {35} could arrive at my destination. This purse was unsolicited, and received without absolute necessity on my part, and without giving him any security for it. I took it principally for the sake of the singular confidence and liberality shewn in the circumstance, and for the same reason I here record it. "Take, sir," said he, "more money."—"O this is more than enough," replied I,—"What! enough? Take more, and repay it at your own time and convenience. I shall be happy to hear of your happiness and safe arrival; my son and his lady sailed last week in one of my best ships. I wish you had come in time for it: you should have sailed with him to the south, whither he is gone on a tour of health."

Sunday, 11th.—To chapel, once. Thought less meanly