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                                                                                                                                     Feb 6 1848
      Tis said that to enjoy perfect health there must be Symmetry & appropriate actions of all the different parts of the system. Is not the same true of the mind. And are you not Cramping one Source of healthy action of the mind by your incorigable unsocialableness . What have you to do with a Sombre mind. Seeing every thing as in the shade of a passing Cloud i.e postpone if you please your Sombre feelings till you get to be old then they will & perhaps the thick shade too be forced upon you whether you will or no - But - I have fear that you will not live till you are old if you Suffer yourself to be so over cautious, reserved, and unsocial. It might do if you were on a farm or in the woods where you could converse with the birds and flowers. Now you can and aught to frequent cheerful company & enjoy it Tis your duty to be Mindful and jolly  make yourself engage in some joyous amusements at times  If you will not I shall fear for you a loss of health or what is vastly worse aberation of Mind. - even now there are some things I can hardly account for - For instance you call upon L. for payment for her account of 10 or 12$ when you know she has nothing to pay with and then say it is all paid long ago. Are you not by your taciturnity damming up some of the "sources of the highest joy of your friends,, If you were a parent would it not be happiness to you to have the confidence, & to know the joys and sorrows of your children

Sabbath ever 6th Feb. We expect Charles home next Saturday he will probably know Something about Hilman & Hectors affairs I cant tell any thing about it except that they have been making shingles & hauling them out to the Foundry. By the way, you did tho' I suppose you didn't mean it express such an imputation or Suspicion of dishonesty in regard to the note as not many Men would bear peaceably. he Charles did feel hurt and offended at the time but I haven't heard him say any thing since Brothers should be careful about giving occation of offence Proverbs 18-19