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56    Juvenile Letters.

LETTER XXI.
From a Boy of fourteen, to one of the same age.
Philadelphia.

DEAR FRIEND,
    EVER since I became acquainted with you, I have been desirous of a correspondence. I am not accustomed to letter-writing, and therefore am more desirous of practicing in that art, not doubting but in time I shall be able to acquit myself to tolerable acceptation. I have frequently wondered at the objection which boys are apt to make, on being put upon any new study, such as arithmetic for instance. They say to their teachers, "I am not acquainted with this, sir;" "I never learned to cypher." This fairly proves that they need to be taught. Thus I conclude, from my inexperience, I want much practice in this, as well as in the other branches of science, before I become a proficient in any of them.
    What a blessed privilege do we enjoy, who have the benefit of such systems of education (as)

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as Boston and Philadelphia have adopted! I have heard that the benevolent and humane citizens of Boston area about establishing a school for the poor Africans, similar to those of this city and New-York. I hope I am not misinformed. I have lately seen some beautiful pieces of penmanship from the African school in New-York. It is a shame to christians, that people of any colour should be found among them, who are incapable of reading the Bible.
    I wish much to see Phillis Wheatley's poems. Will you be so good as to procure me the volume? in the mean time I send you

THE NEGRO'S HYMN.

OTHOU! who dost with equal eye
  All human kind survey,
And mad'st all nations of the earth,
  From the same mass of clay;

If pity in thy nature dwell,
  Behold our race forlorn;
Behold us from out native soil,
  From wives, from children torn.

Chain'd