Page:Famous Single Poems (1924).djvu/84

 phrase. The most significant of them, so far as the present controversy is concerned, was written in 1786 and is here given in full:

To my dear brother Beekman I sit down to write Ten minutes past eight and a very cold night; Not far from me sits with a baullancy cap on Our very good cousin, Elizabeth Tappan. A tighter young sempstress you'd ne'er wish to see And she (blessings on her) is sewing for me. New shirts & new cravats this morning cut out Are tumbled in heaps and lye huddled about. My wardrobe (a wonder) will soon be enriched With ruffles new hemmed and wristbands new stitched. Believe me, dear brother, the women may be Compared to us, of inferior degree. Yet still they are useful, I vow with a fegs, When our shirts are in tatters & jackets in rags.

Now for news, my sweet fellow, first learn with a sigh That matters are carried here gloriously high. Such gadding, such ambling, such jaunting about— To tea with Miss Nancy—to sweet Willy's rout; Now parties at coffee—then parties at wine— Next day all the world with the Major must dine.