Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2016.02.0009 |
Object Name |
Letter |
Date |
1819 |
Title |
1819 Sept 6 Preston W. Brown to Samuel Brown |
Scope & Content |
Letter from Preston W. Brown (Frankfort, KY) to Samuel Brown (Philadelphia, PA). Preston discusses the changing nature of the inhabitants of the state. Preston discusses the good relationship he has with his brothers, and his happiness that Samuel is planning to accept a professorship in Lexington [at Transylvania as the Chair of Theory and Practice in Medicine]. Preston discusses a desire to move back to Woodford County. He comments on the decline of economic affairs in Lexington, but an improvement in the literary tastes. He discusses his distaste for Frankfort society, particularly "little Wilkinson." [He is probably referring to James Wilkinson]. Preston also comments on Horace Holley's unpopularity. [Transcription] Frankfort 6th Sept 1819 Dear Brother The heat of this day has been almost insufferable, & every month appears to change its character & with it the inhabitants of this state. The upstarts of the day are now chop fallen and the old staged citizens are rising into repute- Kentucky will be a new state within a very few months I was delighted beyond expression with the contents of your last letter I have languished to see you for many months & the annunciations of your determination of accepting the offered professorship of Lexington thrill through my heart like an Electric Shock - After experiencing all the pretended friendship of the world I return with renewed confidence to the arms of my Brothers, - Here I am confident of security & sympathy. John & myself have lived one year just as Brothers ought to live & would the times permit I could very cheerfully spend another in the same way- but I cannot command the means & must therefore return to the vicinity of my farm. I cannot go to it as yet, the appearances are so gloomy & solitary- Versailles is so near that all my provisions can be transported there with ease- And we will be in hacking distance of several good families --- you must prepare yourself to see Lexington much changed for the worst so far as respects money matters but much improved in a taste for polite and indeed solid Literature. In those clubs where the merits of Silver Lady or the semetry of Smiths big ears were the topick of discussions you will now hear a learned commentary on Some beautiful expression in Homer or some Philosophic remarks worthy of hearing up, The society in this place is by no means desirable perticularly in our faculty - Scott has some mind but his unreasonable temper prevents it from being useful to his friends - little Wilkerson is the variest little ass I ever met with - made up of spleen envy & ignorance he was bred a printer devil but thought proper to turn Dr. ____ the truth is that want of money has soured the tempers of all the Improvident , and like thanks they are preying on those that fall into their power Hollys popularity is on the bottom- some of his warmest eulogists one short year ago now appear on this list of his enemies = I will write again in a few days this has been written in heat and haste. - We are all well present me to James & Lady & to Susan & James. B. your brother PWB [Address Block] Doc Samuel Brown MailPhiladelphia [Postmark] Sep 8 Frankfort |
People |
Preston W. Brown Samuel Brown John Brown James Wilkinson Horace Holley |
Search Terms |
Philadelphia, PA Frankfort, KY Woodford County, KY Versailles, KY Lexington, KY Literary Societies Currency Transylvania University Transylvania Medical School |