Friday Feb 4^th –
My dear Sister,
I am once more alone Mrs Brown and
"Jem" departed yesterday – I felt very lonely after the
little woman had gone but found that I had many
things to attend to which had been neglected while my
company were here – multitudes of rent garments beset
me on all sides – deranged closets – spots of lamp oil
and various other disagreeable appearances claimed
their share of attention – As the carriage was broken
I felt at perfect liberty to put off calls for two days
Mrs Brown and I attempted to go to Troy Wednesday
to return some visits – the day was rather pleasant
the road fine and all went smoothly on until
we reached West Troy when the "shorses" frightened
by the noise of a stage started off at the top
of their speed – having great faith in Nicholas and
perfect confidence in a new slot set of harness I did
not dream of any danger until the carriage suddenly
wheeled round with so much violence that I
supposed an overturn unavoidable – lowering the glass
and looking out I beheld the horses rearing and
plunging the carriage nearly apart and Nicholas
endeavouring th to restrain the fiery steeds with
one rein the other having broken while he was
endeavouring to stop their flight – Just at that moment
a man in the street sprang to our aid and with the
assistance of one or two others held the horses until
Nicholas could descend from the box and Billy

[top Margin] Minnie

Unknown

has made a visit at Mr. Weeds

x

Thurlow Weed

Birth: 1797-11-15 Death: 1882-11-22

I have not seen Harriet

x

Harriet Bogart

Birth: 1807 Death: 1888-08-20

in a long
time — Frozen coffee and hot coffee prevailed
at Mrs Cornings

x

Harriet Corning

Birth: 1794-07-31 Death: 1883-05-26Certainty: Possible

—

dismount and open the carriage door for Mrs Brown and
myself to do so likewise – Mrs Brown did not
appear at all frightened and insisted on remaining
in the carriage – I was very glad to get as far
away from our fractious steeds as possible.
The men and Nicholas mended the harness so that
they "rather thought" we might go on in safety
the carriage was not discovered to be broken until
we reached home – We were on our way to the bridge
fearing the bridge ice but were told that the bridge
was undergoing repairs so that we could not cross –
The river ^ice^ all agreed was very unsafe so we could
do nothing but set our faces homeward – I did
not recover from the effect of my fright until
the next day – Monday evening we went to hear
the lecture of Mr Burritt the learned Blacksmith –
You probably know that he resides in Worcester Mass– that
he has within 10 years made himself master of 30
different Languages and much more knowledge – that
all this time he has continued to work at his
trade – that within a few months he has commenced
giving lectures which very much astonish the
world – The subject of his lecture the evening
we heard him was "the success of pursuing mental
cultivation independent of native genius"— He
seemed to think there was no such difference
in the minds of men as is generally supposed but
that all with an equal amount of application would
be equally wise – talents, Genius and superior natural
abilities he considered improper terms having the
effect to check and hinder the progress of those who

were not enrolled among the gifted – He cited his own
case as an example of a dull boy who until 21 years
of age despaired of any thing like mental cultivation
At that time he said he threw off the harnessess
which had weighed down his spirit and commenced
a new state of existence – all that he had attained
had been accomplished by persevering application – with
no other faculties than he shared in common with all
mankind – He cited many other instances and gave many
interesting illustrations of his theory – proving the whole
time that he had some of those superior abilities which
he denied existence – I was pleased and I interested
Henry had been more [ extragagant ] in his expectations and
seemed surprised by defects which were certainly apparent
Mr Burritt is now 31 years of age with a
head somewhat resembling the print you have of Bishop
Hughes – fine figure – by no means akward or ungraceful
in his delivery – He was invited to dine with us Monday
we all regretted he did not come – To night Horace
Greeley gives a lecture which I shall walk a mile to
hear as I am determined not to lose it – I think there
will be no perceptible graces of manner there –
I had a letter from dear Clara yesterday with yours
and the day previous one from Augustus – he says
he has written to you – The river is open opposite
the city – it is supposed the ice will obstruct
the navigation between this and Hudson – Augustus Seward
came here from N. York Tuesday and left again yesterday
morning – he saw Worden in New York who said nothing
about returning – Augustus said nothing about
his singular marriage – nor I – Mrs Corning

gave a large party Wednesday – temperance – which is getting
to be very fashionable here – Mrs Horner says it was
very handsomely got up – Mrs King gave a party last
night and to night we are invited to another – I
Greeley's — I suppose it is very gay in Albany if
you should hear any one enquire — Next Wednesday
is Ash Wednesday so the episcopalians must condense their
gaiety – The Stanton's last Soiree comes off on
Tuesday – that I attend which will probably be
the only one this season – Tomorrow night all
the Whig members are to come to supper for the
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
Paid W.H.S.
Albany
FEB
6
N.Y.
Paid W.H.S.

[right Margin] purpose of a caucus – The State officers are about being
removed – The sparring still continues in the
Senate – Fred

x

Frederick Seward

Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25

has been this afternoon to dancing
school – he is better but not well –