.NTI.MTI3MA

You mention your imagination [underlined], + its effects upon you. Perhaps you could not have a better remedy for this, than your confinement to the present realities [underlined] of business. I think you will soon be sufficiently cured, in this way, + will come to like your employment pretty well. You have not yet decided what Church to attend. I thnk it would be better for you to attend one church [underlined] every sabbath. I had as soon choose Old South for you as any. I attended meeting, there, 28 years ago. One thought slipped off my pen upon the subject of imagination. You + I, undoubtedly, are naturally more subject to this power of mind than a majority of people; not so much so, however, as to take from, but rather add to [underlined] our enjoyments, if our other faculties be properly exercised. I very much regret that my feeble health has prevented my being engaged more in active useful business; so that, I might have pre-sented, in my own life, a better example for you [underlined]. Were my bodily strength, now, as good as yours, do you think I would fritter away my time with the amusement of imagination? and give indulgence to such feelings + phantasies as would better become one of our Lady Contributors to modern literature than a man [underlined] who would be somebody in the World? No; Zadoc, - fit yourself for business, + to take on honorable rank. Don't think your time thrown away, that, while it is usefully spent, adds to your knowl-edge and experience, + fits you for the attainment of higher future benefits. [illegible words crossed out] Enough on this topic. I am getting foggy. Good night Z Long