Mary R. Morton letter to Charity Rotch, Philadelphia, 4, 8th mo 1820.

              B-273-5 
  
                               Philada  4   8th mo- 1820
         I intended to have informed thee long ago by beloved
cousin of the receit of thy interesting letter of 4 mo 15   which
was not the less welcome for the  coarse paper, but rather the
more- as being larger, it contained more than the fine letter
my inclination in this respect, by various engagements, &
sometimes depressed below the power-or the will   I hardly
know which- by lassitude, occasioned by the extreme heat
of the weather.  I am glad that your journey is deferred to a
milder season, traveling in the interiour of the Country must
must be extremely oppressive in this weather.  After your Yearly
meeting we may look for a milder temperature, & then I hope
thy health may be improved by traveling, change of air, and
compleat relaxation from domestic engagements.
    It was truly pleasant to me in reading thy letter to trace
thy old fashioned, genuine feelings, from subject to subject
& to comprehend, & share them all.  New friends can hardly
enjoy this pleasure in an equal degree, to that which com-
-munity of feeling, habitual similarity of opinion, & a common
circle of friendship & acquaintances- confers upon those who
have long known & loved one another, & the domestic objects
of another s love- a large proportion of which, though
removed beyond the participation of our cares & anxieties
still hold a tender place in our affections.  I think some-
ting of this sort was in Solomon s mind besides a sense of
the more important privileges of virtuous friendship-
when he advised his son not to forsake an old friend,  for
the new is not comparable to him.   In this respect, as well 
as in various others, I miss thy precious sister   early impress-
ions, &  habits of thinking & acting, contracted in the pa-
rental nest, had formed a link between us, additional
                      any
to what we felt towards  other association here.  There are
indeed, as thou justly observest, many affecting changes
in the situation of divers of our near & dear connections
who yet remain in this mutable scene, as well as many
sorrowfull removals from it. And besides all these, which
principally interest & affect  the narrowice sphere of sweet
domestic comfort,   there are undoubtedly strong indications
of a more public nature, affecting both church & state- of the
necessity, not only of deep retirement of mind, &  watchfulness