Such a one, it was greatly to be feared, you had now found in this
young man; just such qualities he was reported to possess, as would render
him dangerous to you and you dangerous to him. A poet, not in theory only,
but in practice; accustomed to intoxicate the women with melodious
flattery; fond of being _intimate_; avowedly devoted to the sex;
eloquent in his encomiums upon female charms; and affecting to select his
_friends_ only from that sex.

What effect might such a character have upon your peace, even without
imputing any ill intention to him? Both of you might work your own ruin,
while you designed nothing but good; and even supposing that your
intercourse should be harmless, or even beneficial with respect to
yourselves, what was to be feared for Talbot? An intimacy of this kind
could hardly escape his observation on his return. It would be criminal,
indeed, to conceal it from him.

These apprehensions were raised to the highest pitch by more accurate
information of Colden's character, which I afterwards received. I found,
on inquiring of those who had the best means of knowing, that Colden had
imbibed that pernicious philosophy which is now so much in vogue. One who
knew him perfectly, who had long been in habits of the closest intimacy
with him, who was still a familiar correspondent of his, gave me this
account.

I met this friend of Colden's (Thomson his name is, of whom I suppose
you have heard something) in this city. His being mentioned as the
intimate companion of Colden made me wish to see him, and fortunately, I
prevailed upon him to be very communicative.

Thomson is an excellent young man: he loves Colden much, and describes