birthday reflections

when I contemplate our common lot, I must admit that I have drawn a high prize in the lottery of life.......I am endowed with a cheerful temper, a moderate sensibility and a natural disposition to repose rather than activity: some mischevious appetites and habits have yet to be corrected by philosophy or time. the love of study, passion for reading and enjoyment of the natural world supplies each day with a perpeual source of independent and rational pleasure; and I am not aware of any decay of mental faculties. I am a rich woman by my standards, since my income is superior to my expenses and my expenses are equal to my wishes.......

.....written in my 40th year