“I like the plan you propose, and see no objection to it at present, but you know how feasible those things appear which we wish. One circumstance only may happen to prevent it. I have some hopes that my mother will come and live with me. This I very earnestly wish, and shall use every means to induce her, but it does not appear so probable as I could desire. This I shall know in a short time; and if then you have not changed your intentions, you know how gladly I should domesticate under the same roof with you. . . . .
“I think you would derive more good from Epictetus, than from studying yourself. There is
a very proud independence in the Stoic Philosophy, which has always much
pleased me. You would find certain sentences in the Enchiridion, which would occur to the
mind when such maxims were wanted, and operate as motives: besides, when you
are ex-
322 | LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE | Ætat. 23. |