Article #91 - Excuse

  Newlin 7th Mo 25th 1851

Fellow members of Locust Grove Liceum [sic]

            It is with great reluctance that I resort to this medium to inform you of the non-

appearance of the journal of which I was appointed editor at our last meeting, and the cause of what you may think a neglect, that prevented me from fulfilling the mandates of the constitution

which is so imperative as to declare that the ap[p]ointed editor shall prepare said journal,  as well as your expectations at the time you convene. Nothing short of delicate health both mentally and physically, or the predominance of mental activity over physical strength, could have prevented me from fulfilling the duties of the office to the best of my ability, but as mental exercise excites the brain, and aggravates the diseas[e], as well as produce pain at the time; I thought it imprudent

to violate the laws of nature to fulfill those of man. Again, you might as consistently expect to gather perfect and fine flavoured fruit from the frost bitten and withered tree, or enjoy the benefit of light and heat from our great luminary when a thick veil of mist intervenes and casts a dark shadow over it, as to expect free and easy composition, with proper deductions and sound logic, in rhetorical order from a clouded intellect. Beside this it will be utterly impossible for me to meet with as I have made arrangement to leave [for?] Philadelphia at 5 A M on Monday morning to seek relief in the briny waters of the Atlantic. As it is very dubious about my return before another meeting, it would be well to appoint another editor as I presume my number was not very interesting, though you may live in hopes of receiving a scratch from my pen again that

time as a compensation for your present disappointment, for inasmuch as I am aware of the great benefit arising from such exercise I ardently desire its continuance and shall endeavour to contribut[e] my might [mite?].

                        Yours with respect

                        G. P. Hayes