evenly is the main point: all the rest is easily learned. My hand
is very unsteady, as you may see by my writing; I do not think I
shall ever be able to write a decent hand. One other piece of
advice I must give you before I shut up; that is, never try to show
off your knowledge, especially in scientific matters. It is a sin
that certain persons we know have been guilty of. The first step is
to learn your own ignorance, and if ever you feel inclined to make
a display, you may be sure that you have as yet learned nothing. I
think I must write to mamma next time. Give my love to her, the
girls, old Anne, Aunt M., Miss R., etc., and when you write, tell
me what has become of Farwell, and any others of our schoolmates
you may know about.

Your affectionate brother,

WILLIAM J. WILLS.

. . .

St. Arnaud, April 10th, 1858.

MY DEAR MOTHER,

It is all very well to say write about anything, but it is
easier said than done. You will find that I have written Charley a
long letter, and I had no idea of doing so when I began, as you see
I commenced on note paper. But what would be the use of my writing
to you on such subjects, and all others are soon disposed of? (You
would not think I was a surveyor, to look at the parallelism of
these lines.) You tell me in one of your letters to write about