Some parts of this letter are illegible due to the sender's handwriting, making his thoughts unclear.

Boston Oct 14 1826
Respected Friend

We greet you for your kind letter of condolence to our ill fated minds, but we hope with a due portion of Systematic attempts to subside that evil fermentation & allay the fears which have been as warmth of [?] to us; & leave no chafing from recipes or other medicinal [?]. But laying aside our duty as it ill becometh us of coming home for pity, will be well that we derogate so much sympathy's [sic] to ourselves, that we shall not be thrown on shore after allowing a generous part to Friends; mention of using a little for other wants which ncessity or to [?] leaving might [??]. Sitting down the other evening so calm & generous that had the prophetic [?] of horror, raising its hideous head in scorn. We should have been [sinners?], neither would it have pafsed [sic]¹ our sadden & gloom over our minds. It appeared that the Angel of Peace has so far after nature the Earth shook & the heavens became as a cloud, still all would have been calm, When Oh horror or horrible bitternefs [?][sic] of you will believe me a letter was put into my hands dignifying that poor desolate Friend Molton could not Enter College. Oh what a shock to my nerves a sudden film came over mine eyes & pleas both a total abstraction-in-in [?] to think that he should have tried to Enter College & failed. One [??] so kind, so learned so every thing the wron-no I mean the right way-A Sudden strain of music flitters acrofs [sic] my hearing & died I dreamed it. Yes I dreamed a dream Oh I saw the nine [?] sitting around, am getting wreathes with garlands of laurels which had been [?] them forth upon the light streams them or Virgil, Milton & Shakespeare, left sad Demosthenes, Cicero, [??] all crowned with the confidence of fame. Some with different branches of different trees under which first [??]. What had [?] while the [?] held in their hands a college for us signifying what ford they had [?] mankind the literary world [??] seemed through black glistening to the seam of sorrow at intervals sounded on the ear all their Eloquence, their [??] knowledge of man. Seemed from their countenance as tho they were the [?] of Sorrow instead of rejoicing of praises. But each of this sorrow pleas!!!-

In the midst of the nine weeks was but of one of the muses standing behind holding the consecrating on the countenance of this whom it assembled, while the rest wore with a besprinkling this lust which so moves thine sorrow. Till at last [?] the incense has been wasted the business taken from the last remembered this remark of love. 'To thought sweetnefs [sic] the [?] of happinefs [sic] leaving the sister of greatnefs [sic] eloquence the matter of the Soul. Poetry the inspiration of Heaven so dedicated in memory of Him who engendered all thereof--Tread no further guard hand only respects. I had been reading of Mr Molton's failure of College. [??] Miserable adieu horrible [?] McQuesten.

Now as this parade of words appears is over. I will write to [you] beneath it in sober mind. Firstly I hope you will answer me after receiving this unruly yet innocent piece of paper & tell me when Examination is precisely [?] that, Providence Permitting Benson & myself may come the day before [?]. What news I have that will interest you are but few I fear.--I have a few days ago [?] Foster just arrived from Calcutta. He appears about as fine as when he left school. He probably will be at B at the Examination. Mr Wallis a young Gentleman friend--was introduced to me the other evening here. The politenefs [sic] of a letter from Mrs. Warmer. He gave some accounts of the proceedings this term & seems to intimate them [?] thanked not for the respect. I cant but feel for some at the [??] connected to it. Sales has been unwell for about a fortnight back & for the week in the house.

Tis all I have to write now. And suppose the long breath that you will take after reading it if it be intelligible will be nicer tho' it was unconsciously this done--Past 11 oclock.

Let This be my Excuse. A long & hard days labour at the dark perception & still lefs [sic] orthography. Punctuation or any other mark of grammatical precision But a paraphernalia of reflex.

Doctor Calvin McQuesten
From your friend wishing to be esteemed as often as pofsible [sic] yes.
My respect to all my particular old acquaintences Friend but taken as one of the rest--Maynards

[Address on Envelope]
Mr. Calvin McQuesten
West Bradford, Mafs [sic]

¹ Note throughout the use of the archaic "fs" for "ss."
The first part of the letter appears to be a kind of stream of consciousness rather poetic outpouring. However the third paragraph is more lucid.