I can't help thinking when I see them how glad I am that my sons are better employed at Andover than beating the streets or drums; that they are laying in a good store of useful knowledge against the time to come, while these poor boys, many of them, at least, are learning what they will be glad by and by to unlearn.
July 30, 1805.
MY DEAR SONS,--Have you heard of the death of young Willard at Cambridge, the late President Willard's son?
He died of a violent fever occasioned by going into water when he was very hot in the middle of the day.

He also pumped a great deal of cold water on his head.

Let this be a warning to you all not to be guilty of the like indiscretion which may cost you your life.

Dreadful, indeed, would this be to all of us.

I wish you would not go into water oftener than once a week, and then either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and not go in when hot nor stay long in the water.