Albany Friday Jan 14^th
My dear Sister
I should have written some days ago but knew not
where my letter would find you—yours of Wednesday came
this morning—I am quite positive that if you ventured
out yesterday you are by this time sick in bed—I went
with Mrs Bowen to the Capitol and made four visits
which process has nearly frozen my face, given me
a sore throat and produced a chill which I fear
will continue until a change in the weather—I received
both of your letters last week—Morgan staid with us till
Monday morning when Henry accompanied him to New
York by the way of Springfield and New Haven—he
will probably return tomorrow if he does not freeze
on the way—Mrs Bowen came here last week Thursday
Mr Bowen has gone to New York—she is to remain with
me until her husband returns—I find her a much more
easily-entertained visitor than my stately sister in-law—
We go out every day I make visits, Mrs Bowen remains
in the sleigh or at the Capitol—I have the headache

[top Margin]
Fred was much pleased with
the account of his letter — No news
from Mrs Cary

x

Margaret Cary

Birth: 1788 Death: 1863-06-22

— your own
Sister

about 1/3 of the time and in consequence of being obliged to
sit up late at night I am very dull all day—I think
you have had quite a gay season at Auburn—I am glad you
were able to go out with Clara for I presume she will
stay at home the remainder of the winter—I was sorry
Henry did not go to Auburn—I presume He Pa would
have returned with him—I still hope he will find some
one to accompany him—Sir Charles Bagot and suit
consisting of 12 persons arrived in town last Thursday
Friday he dined with us—I received notice at 12
oclock that he was coming with 12 others —of course
our dinner was not as good as I could have desired
but I presume he was sufficiently reasonable to make allowance
for the want of time to prepare—The meats were all put
upon the table this time not having succeeded quite as well
as I wished in the French—Sir Charles is a fine
looking agreeable man of 60—and now having seen
two thorough bred Englishmen I can easily account for
the unfavourable impression made upon ^them^ by the manners of
American men generally—In their attention to ladies there
is a deference and devotion of manner which in America

[right Margin]
Sam has not mentioned your name which I consider
particularly amiable

x

amiable

Worthy of love; deserving of affection; lovely; loveable • Pretending or showing love •

is peculiar to lovers—it is very different from the free and easy
manner to which we are accustomed — ^which is^ not quite as flattering
certainly but which custom has rendered very tolerable—
One thing we know that American women are in reality
quite as much respected and exert quite as much
influence upon the other sex as in England — Sir Charles
wore the star and garter, was quite overpowered when the
health of the Queen was proposed by Henry and grateful
though much less oppressed by the compliment when
the health of Lady Bagot was drunk—The two gentlemen
who accompanied him Capt Bagot (a nephew) and Capt
Cholmondley(pronounced Chumly) were in no respect
different from other gentlemen always excepting the
(deference of manner)—They wore metal buttons with
the device of a crown and L.R. upon them—Our other guests
were the Lieutenant Governor, Mr Collier, R. King—O. Holly
W. Hall the Chief Justice, I believe one or two others whom I cannot
recal—Mrs Bowen said the dinner went off well—I hope
it did—of course I had a violent nervous headache the
whole time—Then a thousand small circumstances which
must be reserved until next April I believe that was
the earliest period which proposed to come and see me—
The boys are wishing Frances here to take part in a play
which is in the process of composition—The Stantons give
Soiree's this winter the first last evening—& I was thankful
not to be obliged to go—Henry will bring the clique
with him when he comes—no more quiet then—Mrs Bowen
has been reading Barnaby Rudge to me—it is very good
but in the whole I think inferior to the 'Old Curiosity Shop' —
Sam came Tuesday—was examined last evening—George
Rathbone one of the examiners—To day he is to have his diploma
there were 34 candidates—all received—Sam goes to Utica

of course before returning to New York—Lyman is in Washington — Mrs
Lyman at Utica — Every body enquires if you are not coming this
Winter — I had a letter from Augustus yesterday—he is calculating
upon meeting you here when he comes home to spend his vacation
in April—he is well—says the time passes away sooner than
he expected—
A beautiful letter from the Bishop (Hughes) came to Henry to day on the
subject of the message—we have his picture under that of
Washington — I insisted that it would be proper on the occasion of
Sir Charles' visit to reinstate the Duke of Wellington he being
an Uncle of Lady Bagot's but I was overruled

[right Margin]
Dickens

x

Charles Dickens

Birth: 1812-02-07 Death: 1870-06-09

is crossing the Ocean I hope he will come here I would rather see
him than all the Lords and Knights in England—I believe this is a a
dull letter—the truth is I have my Fridays headache—Sam brought
Willie some toys which occupy the whole of his time he never takes a
meal now without the company of two horses a dog and bird—
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
Paid W.H.S.
ALBANY N.Y.
JAN 14
hSister
1842