Speaking of himself, Wick told his friend that "He has acquired a good deal of miscellaneous knowledge, loves fun, looks serious, rises early, works much, and has a decided penchant for light diet, humor, reading, business, the drama, music, a fine horse, his gun, and the woods. W owes nothing, and were he to die today his estate would inventory eight or nine hundred dollars . . . . He 'takes no thought for tomorrow.' but relies upon the same good Providence to which he is debtor for all. W. would advise young men to fear and trust God, to cheat rogues, and deceive intriguers by being perfectly honest . . . to touch the glass lightly, to eschew security and debt, tobacco, betting, hypocrisy and federalism, to rather believe, or fall in with new philosophical and moral humbugs, and to love woman too well to injure her. They will thus be happy now, and will secure serenity at fifty-two years of age and thence onward."