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                                                                                                         17th Feb 1848

Very Dear Son (we don't always feel alike, besides I regret some things I wrote in my last letter I did not mean to be taken so much in earnest & you know I always express myself too strongly - I think that I at least do not much misunderstand you - can sympathize (as Allina says, with you in regard to being misunderstood and also in regard to unsociableness if that is the right word for it I rather think it is not - I have often (tho' not quite as much lately as years ago, stay'd away out of the room what I had company as long at a time as it would do to just because I as asham'd and mortified that I couldn't bear my part in conversation. Anybody who can write like you cannot (unclear) to converse. But there are always some persons with whom I could be perfectly free and sociable - I think I myself was in fault & have tried to get the better of it - Still & believe with you that what is call'd social intercourse is not always enjoyment I regret because my letter mad you sad -- " I did have in view not so much to teach, (tis too late to use that word I need to be taught as you) to be happy an to try to make others so. - I take the liberty to doubt whether the best way for you to make others happy is to keep out of their way - Do you wish to have your friend all keep out of your way - Are there not benefits in social gatherings - Why were the jews to congregate together their time a year. I am much the most likely that to be understood because have not the use of language wherewith to express my poor confusd ideas - you have very clear ideas very few persons can express themselves better in writing - If your mind is like a rich mine is it not your duty to fetch it out for the use of your fellow creatures - Well whatever else we do may we at last find a seat in that Great assembly where mind meets mind without a clog or cloud between.