I found him walking in the garden, his hat in his hand (as it generally was in the open air), for he told me that, having been one of the Bluecoat Boys, among whom it is the fashion to go bareheaded, he had acquired a dislike to any covering of the head.
"I explained the cause of my visit and he said: 'Allston should say to himself, "_Nothing is me but my will._ These thoughts, therefore, that force themselves on my mind are no part of _me_ and there can be no guilt in them." If he will make a strong effort to become indifferent to their recurrence, they will either cease or cease to trouble him.' "He said much more, but this was the substance, and, after it was repeated to Allston, I did not hear him again complain of the same kind of disturbance." Mr.C.B.King, the other friend mentioned by Leslie, returned to America in 1812, and writes from Philadelphia, January 3, 1813:-- MY DEAR FRIENDS, This will be handed you by Mr.Payne, of Boston, who intends passing some time in England....

I have not been here sufficiently long to forget the delightful time when we could meet in the evening with novels, coffee, and _music by Morse_, with the conversation of that dear fellow Allston.

The reflection that it will not again take place, comes across my mind accompanied with the same painful sensation as the thought that I must die.
That Morse was not forgotten by the good people at home is evidenced by a letter from his brother, Sidney Edwards, of January 18, 1812, part of which I transcribe:-- DEAR BROTHER,--I am sitting in the parlor in the armchair on the right of the fireplace, and, as I hold my paper in my hand, with my feet sprawled out before the fire, and with my body reclining in an oblique position against the back of the chair, I am penning you a letter such as it is, and for the inverted position of the letters of which I beg to apologize.
As I turn my eyes upward and opposite I behold the family picture painted by an ingenious artist who, I understand, is at present residing in London.

If you are acquainted with him, give my love to him and my best wishes for his prosperity and success in the art to which, if report says true, he has devoted himself with much diligence.
Richard sits before me writing to you, and mama says (for I have just asked her the question) that she is engaged in the same business.

Papa is upstairs very much engaged in the selfsame employment.