Sunday Aug. 12^th -
My dearest Henry,
I received your letter (the first from
Westfield) Friday morning and should have written
immediately had I not been prevented by headache.
I went Teusday afternoon to Mr Hopkins examin-
ation - there were very few persons there. Mr Lathrop
seemed to be the most important personage. I should
think him a pretty good scholar though rather a
dull man - his examination of the boys was
much less interesting than that of Mr Lucas at
Mr Myres school - the boys seem to be well in-
structed - are much less advanced in their studies
than at Mr Myres school - this I should consider
no objection could I perceive that any more
attention was paid to the elementary branches.
I was sorry that I did not feel well enough to
go Wednesday morning. I lost Augustus exam-
ination which he says I could not have heard
had I been there for he could not speak
loud though he tried very hard - he read
and parsed a sentence in Caesar - there
was a room full of spectators Wednesday.
I will indeavour to see Mr Hopkins when
he returns and talk with him about writing
and spelling. Gus says they spell once a week
without study and write only when they
choose which is pretty generally equivalent
to not writing at all.

You must have had a pleasant excursion to Chautau-
que - pleasant for you who enjoy hustle and
much company and many strange faces
you do enjoy it dearest or you would not always
be in the midst of it - it is distressing to me
when I am ill, and wearisome when I am well.
I am the former this morning or I believe I should
not have written that last sentence my head
is getting its old habits again. Freddy thinks
he would have enjoyed the trip in the new steam
boat exceedingly. Poor John, I would like to see
his letter - his is a melancholy fate. I do not know
how he submits to the separation from his little
boy. Did you see Mrs Tracy at Buffalo. I suppose
not as you do not mention it. I should think
she would be very happy in the prospect of a
permanent home. Mr & Mrs Porter of Albany
are at Mrs Weeds. I called last evening - they
have given up housekeeping for the present. Mr Porter
is going to Buffalo next week - he regretted that
your were not at home seemed to think he might
see you when he went west which does not seem
at all probable to me. Mr Addison Dougherty
is here again - very sorry to miss you again - he
has come to accompany Ann Eliza home who has
recently received the afflicting intelligence of the
death of her only brother James - he was
a clergyman - living in Maryland - married
a sister of Dougherty's .
I can fancy you sitting in the office at Chautau-
que, or walking about the quick little town,
not continually tormented with idle reports
as you were here. Peter and Dr Humphreys
appear to have a deal of communication. I believe

they have quarreled now about a note. The Dr
has been all along in the habit of questioning
Peter about the family and among other things has en
-quired what Kit Morgan came here for so frequently.
Tells Peter that you are altogether too young for a can-
didate for Governor and that he does not approve of
your being nominated. I supose we shall hear no more
of this now there is a breach. The Dr's conduct it
is ungentlemanly and contemptible but by no means
new - he disgusted me by questioning servants
about the affairs of the family long before I
was so cruelly convinced of his utter destitution
of feeling and principle. Worden passed through
Friday morning on his way to New York - he
left a note for me saying he had been sent for by
Sibley who had had a relapse and was supposed
to be in a very dangerous situation. Worden hardly
expected to find him alive. Lazette Frances an[ d ]
had just set out for Avon were as far as Bloomfield
on their way when they were overtaken by a messenger
with the letter containing the intelligence. They all
immediately returned and Worden set off for N.Y.
I am all alone in the house saving and excepting
the company of Miss Chitterbob - the little boys have
gone to Church with Clara and Mc Clallen. I am kept
at home by headache. Last night the young Magician
performed for the last time at the Museum - the little boys
were ^so^ disappointed that I could not consent to their going
that I was under the necessity of having an exhibition
of Phosphorus in my room - so we had volcanoes, magic
candles, burning islands &c in profusion. Our Helen's uncle
keeps sending for her to come to Illinois where she can get 3$
a week - she does not seem much disposed to go and being
altogether the best girl we have had for a long time I do not
feel much disposed to let her. – – – Adieu dearest your own
Frances —

[left Margin] My love to all our friends. Clara is in very poor health
I am sorry she did not go with you but your visit
was so hurried that I did not think of it
until you were gone.

William H. Seward
Westfield
Chautauque County
AUBURN N.Y.
AUG 12
hFrances A. Seward
August 12, 1838.

[bottom Margin] h

Hand Shiftx

Frances Seward

Birth: 1805-09-24 Death: 1865-06-21

What do you think is the matter with our dahlias they have
ceased growing and have no appearance of flower. I blli believe
they want you to look at them ever [ y ]

x

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