As to the question given, "to Multiply 12£ 12s 12½d by itself", It must have been a punn, or from one not well skill'd in figures. If it was the former, it does not deserve to be answered at all, because that would be indulging wanton impertinence; and if it was the latter, I am not able to understand how such a person should venture to question Mr _Rigmaidens_ answer--Upon the whole, I am apt to think it is all a punn which, "Brother Quill" (as he is pleased to style himself) has ventured to throw out, and on this account, until I am better satisfied that the sentiment is genuine, I decline wholly entering farther into the matter. I am, Sir, Yours P V FITHIAN TO MR LARKIN RANDELL Nomini Hall. [JOURNAL] _Thursday 29._ Warm to day, but dry & clear. Mr _Leech_ & Mr _Hodge_ spent last evening with us; the Conversation was on exchange--Loyal Toasts, _Agreement_, & _Firmness_ through the american Colonies--Ladies. mine was Miss Corbin--The Colonel informed us that early next week he shall set out for Williamsburg--Soon after I hope to set out for Cohansie! [LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO BENJAMIN CARTER] Nomini Hall Septr: 29th. 1774. "Aetas Parentum, pejor avis, tulit Nos nequiores; mox daturos Progeniem vitiosiorem." SIR. You will comprehend, at once, the design of Horace in the Ode from which this motto was taken, And, perhaps, you may think the application of it here unmeaning, and impertinent. In order to free you wholly from every such secret suspicion, you will please to take notice, that the dignity of your very respectable family, (which is a sacred thing) depends almost entirely upon your _Capacity_, _improvement_, and _behaviour_, an attempt, therefore, to guide and enlarge either or all of these may not be called unmeaning; and, as you have honoured me for some time past in the character of a Tutor, by submitting to my advice and instruction, I cannot suppose you so utterly destitute of candour and gratitude as to put the name of impertinence on what is the _close_ and _sum_ of my duty to you: especially as there is but little probability that I shall ever see you more, and can, therefore, have no possible incitement from interest, to flatter nor oppertunity of indulging any kind of revenge. These remarks, I presume, are sufficient to remove from you any hurtfull prejudice. I therefore go on, to make several observations with moderation and freedom, which, at least, I hope you will duely consider, and if they please you, practise. Give me leave then, first of all to tell you, That you possess a critical tho' a high station, and that in your road throug[h] life you are liable to innumerable dangerous [dev]iations. On many accounts your station is critical; I shall enumerate only a few. --The rest is lost-- TO MR BEN CARTER [JOURNAL] _Fryday 30._