After sight hereof It’s needless to inform thee, I have lost the Art of writing: yet I thankfully enjoy old Age, without much corporal pain. Phil: Syng, the only other surviving member here, of the old Junto, labours under infirmities, keeps much at home, where I can seldom go to visit him. We are both feeble and tottering; yet younger people sometimes undertake to counsel us, in a friendly way, how we should proceed, but I am convinced that few, if any, are capable of judging of the imbecility of an Old man, but an Old man. We have attain’d to old Age, truely pictured Psalm XC. 10th. and must soon fly away.

In some views, It may be said y’ I have not lived half thy days, yet I think I am not ½ a year A Stern, according to common computation of time, for the next American Anniversary, which is not 12 days distant, will be the commencement of my 80th year. The bearer hereof Samuel Fox is a young man; has lived several years with my son George and from the mildness of his behavour and sweetness of his disposition, gain’d the Affection of all our Family, and I freely commend him to thy Notice: his intent of going to Europe, is in part to endeavour to obtain a firmer State of health. I have often been desireous of knowing something of the Exit of old men of distinguising Abilities, and from the Accot: of most (of whom) I have read, and I have convers’d with some few, who all unite in this and wished they had been more dilligent in applying their time “to acquaint themselves with God and be at Peace” My dear Friend I have often had the satisfaction of seeing thee, gradually advance to the Summit of human Fame, and I most ardently wish, that thy final transition may be to enjoy Felicity for Ever and Ever