(seq. 56)

Miss Lydia Nightingale
Providence

MMP Letter #9 Bethlehem August 22, 1792

Dear Aunt

Your favour of several dates which was given me by Papa
was very acceptable, and I find that on the 26th of May we
were both on an Island enjoying the fine day; a party of us were
taken over on an Island surounded by the river Lehigh, by Mr
Van Vleck, we drank tea & coffee, & went up a very high hill,
had a beautiful prospect of Bethlehem, but were overtaken by
a storm before we reach'd home: however, none of us recieved [sic]
any hurt.

Papa sets out tomorrow for N. York and will probably see
you soon, pray excuse this short letter, as I have so much
business on hand that I have not time to write much.

I suppose you have many agreable [sic] parties of pleasure
now & the winter will again return with the usual Balls: as a
proof of my love for retirement you see I shall stay 8 months
longer here, and devote that time to religion & learning, which
might otherwise be spent in pleasures of shorter duration, that
cannot secure my future happiness I am anxious to lay a sure
foundation for that and in the spring I hope to be reunited to
My Worthy friends in Providence

yours affectionately in haste

M.M. Flagg