Well said My Dear Young Moralizing Philosopher
, it's certainly a very hard knowledge
to know oneself and as you say, we ought
most certainly to dedicate all our time
in pursuit of that knowledge, Yet alas
even though we do, it's seldom, or indeed
ever acquired. Vanity not only hides
our faults from us, but often makes
us believe we perfectly know ourselves,
which Belief runs us into more folly's
than any thing I know of -- However if
I know the least of myself I think I
may venture to assure My dearest
Miss Hamilton how very much obliged
I am to her for the Purse which shall
be my constant companion till wore
out, & when that happens, I make no
doubt my impudence may desire
another, as least I think it's what you
may expect from your Goodness to

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me, the old proverb says give some People
an inch they'll take an Ell -- though I am
not very well pleased that you desire me
always to wear it in my Pocket that it
may not suffer me to forget you.
Is that a kind saying from My dear Daughter?
I'll refer that to your self and I expect
that you will answer my question in your
next -- Your Minds Eye is likeways
out for your letter was neither twirled
round & casted from me with the Pish &c
&c &c But received & read with the Greatest
pleasure imaginable with a, what
a good Girl this is to be so indulging
as write so often to me, but I could only
wish she would make her favours still
greater, that is to say her letters longer.
I am happy you like Mrs- Carters Poems
it flatters my vanity not a little to find
my opinion is supported by one I have
so great a respect for her Judgement

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but I'll say no more as you'll call it
flattery which is a Crime I never was
accused of before, & yet three parts of
my last letter was not worth the answering
because made up of nothing else
so your Ladyship is pleased to say, I
wish it was in my power to abuse you
for your foibles, did I know of any you
had be assured you should hear of them
in every letter I wrote you. were we
to live much longer than the old Man in the
Bible together, & correspond the whole time,
you See I am very angry and if I did
not expect an excuse in Your other
sheet that you promise for what
you said, I would punish you by writing
another sheet but to show you upon
pardon being asked, it likeways can be
granted I beg my best respects to Mrs Hamilton
& My dearest Mary May believe me to be
her most unalterable friend William Napier

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