n (though _par magis quam similis_)
would carry a greater weight. I suppose that you have a department for
historical lucubrations, and should be glad, if deemed desirable, to
forward for publication my "Collections for the Antiquities of Jaalam" and
my (now happily complete) pedigree of the Wilbur family from _fons et
origo_, the Wild-Boar of Ardennes. Withdrawn from the active duties of my
profession by the settlement of a colleague-pastor, the Reverend Jeduthun
Hitchcock, formerly of Brutus Four-Corners, I might find time for further
contributions to general literature on similar topicks. I have made large
advances toward a completer genealogy of Mrs. Wilbur's family, the
Pilcoxes, not, if I know myself, from any idle vanity, but with the sole
desire of rendering myself useful in my day and generation. _Nulla dies
sine linea._ I inclose a meteorological register, a list of the births,
deaths, and marriages, and a few _memorabilia_, of longevity in Jaalam
East Parish for the last half-century. Though spared to the unusual period
of more than eighty years, I find no diminution of my faculties or
abatement of my natural vigour, except a scarcely sensible decay of memory
and a necessity of recurring to younger eyesight for the finer print in
Cruden. It would gratify me to make some further provision for declining
years from the emoluments of my literary labours. I had intended to effect
an insurance on my life, but was deterred therefrom by a circular from one
of the offices, in which the sudden deaths of so large a proportion of the
insured was set forth as an inducement, that it seemed to me little less
than a tempting of Providence. _Neque in summa inopia levis esse senectus
potest, ne sapienti quidem._

Thus far concerning Mr. Biglow; and so much seemed needful (_brevis esse
laboro_) by way of preliminary, after a silence of fourteen years. He
greatly fears lest he may in this essay have fallen below himself, well
knowing, that, if exercise be dangerous on a full stomach, no less so is
writing on a full reputation. Beset as he has been on all sides, he could
not refrain, and would only imprecate patience till he shall again have
"got the hang" (as he calls it) of an accomplishment long disused. The
letter of Mr. Sawin was received some time in last June, and others have
followed which will in due season be submitted to the publick. How largely
his statements are to be depended on, I more than merely dubitate. He was
a