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Description
Discusses power dynamics of pastoral life
Date
8-2-1795
Keywords
New York, Indian Charity School
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Dudley Chase" (1795). Philander Chase Letters. 13.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/13
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Transcript
Indian Charity School August 2nd ‘95
My dearest brother,
Thanks, four thousand thanks for your truly entertaining epistle! I would, if possible, pour my soul out in gratitude to you for saving just one ray of comfort upon the dark horizon, that seems all around [bound] my sight. Comfort! Yes, my brother, more in reading one of your letters, that’s all I receive otherwise for weeks, months or years together. You tell me not to [deform] -- this I by no means do -- that dignity which I have not out [?] will, I trust, never ruffed [?] or bow the once Menial slaves at hellish [?] Banks [?] wound memorable upon the head-- one in my opinion for [?] one [?] since. I had rather be censured by thousands for walking erect than be caressed by [?] for complying tamely with government which is in direct opposition to that spirit of freedom which my God suffered to be planted and [?] my breast. I think your method of treating the ignorant and malicious herd of mankind a very excellent one, and even if it was not, I fancy you would make your [?] positive what was wanting in precept. To treat with contempt has often a much better effect than many stripes, or [which is no bad] the lashes of the tongue.
The contrast you have drawn between your two [?] times I think is tremendously striking. [?] [part of the letter is torn here] I have been, I think, one of these your her[?] [the letter is torn here as well] If she is one. My G-- [the letter is torn here].
But I will my [?] little or this perhaps tender subject the complement you make with regard to your not having sufficient of refined company with [?] turn yourself, I think may be answered by considering your other means, for enjoyment in a [?] and refined attention. There my brother you have the feelings of superiority instead of the [?] -- here you can be a [?] judge, an utmost [?], instead of a summer letter that just broke from your school of discipline-- therefore [?] in my opinion, will forever ballance the objections which you have stated against a country and rustic life. As Pompey said, “I would rather be governor of a [?] of a farm full of poor villagers upon the Alps than the second man in Rome.” Just is the love for superiority. But I do not fear that you will not be [?]. Altho’ you may sometimes have [?] and [?] feelings yet by what would ever oppose you, steer clear, very clear, of the guidance of melancholy and dejectedness. I know that I am too much prone to these feelings, yet I have found a method in which I have experienced a remedy [?] -- to take a view of all mankind at one note then construed myself as a member of the great society [?] [?] one ground by the great and good Governor as the king upon the throne-- this my brother improves me with contemplation of my condition. [The edge of the letter is torn off here] the wind. Time glides away lightly and happiness it’s [?] on the bound.
Our friends at B are all well. Themself was removed from York and as I have heard was made out well. Your letter to Barnet I shall send tomorrow by the post, and Newport, and Daniel. Father whom I well [?] by a trusty [?]. I think I will run off a small epistle written to the young [?] in [?] which I pray you to deliver. I shall address it to Miss Fay as she has the former ones with which this is connected. Therefore a few directions and advice which I promised I would write [?] [?] powers. My [?] out and I will not write any more farwell.
Love
Philander Chase