Sunday afternoon 16^th
My dear Sister,
Your letter came this morning giving the
melancholy account of poor Mrs Emersons death– I suppose it
is better for her and quite as well for her unfeeling family
that she has gone to a better home– but it is a poor comment
upon humanity– Although I must have been there a week
or more I cannot revive any reccollection of Mrs Emerson
except that she was a small woman– I am grieved
that this charming October weather is all passing away without
our being able to enjoy it together– When I last wrote Henry
was recovering rapidly from an attack of Quincy which
as I before observed has made me a firm believer in homeo-
pathy although he continues to disbelieve the endurance of his
own senses — Says he should have recovered without any
medicine though I dissuaded him from taking a portion
of salts without telling him I had sent for Dr Ward – He
was very ill three days– Tuesday sat up part of the day
and Wednesday morning, his fever entirely gone, the swelling
of his throat dispersed, and no indications of inflammation

[top Margin]
Mr Spencer

x

Theodore Spencer

Birth: 1800-04-24 Death: 1870-07-14Certainty: Possible

has written and thinks it very
probable that Augustus

x

Augustus Seward

Birth: 1826-10-01 Death: 1876-09-11

can have the appointment but
advises that he be nominated by
a member of congress – I hope to get home
some time next week
your own
Sister

remaining, he walked to Weed's without precaution of putting on
an overcoat– was out again in the afternoon, and finally
Thursday afternoon took the boat for N. York, attended the
Celebration and came home again well this morning— If I
had over seen an inflammation so effectually subdued by the
old school practice, with the same beneficial results following
I might still be skeptical about the "small powders"–
as it is my faith is strong– so strong that it will take many
large portions of calomel [ jalep ] to shake it— Henry
came home without Mary– she has concluded not to come–
now I can go on with my moving without interruption
and when my "five hundred " friends" are carded, here
and at Troy I shall feel like a free woman– I am
hoping to get home some time next week— The directors
of the railroad have consented to take over furniture on the
cars as an especial act of grace– this will save much
trouble in packing— the backyard is full of boxes waiting
for their contents– I f have taken up four carpets and
go on again tomorrow– how thankful I am that my health
is so good– last Spring this morning was a great dread to me

[top Margin]
I have bought a [ muslin du lane ]

x

Alternate Text

Alternate Text: mousseline du laine

for you a common
dress– it is dark but not gay I do not know as
you will like it–

Willie's eyes continue to improve and I think he is gaining
flush again– dear little boy he is very happy to be able
to see again, to enjoy the sunshine as he used to do— Carlin
left us last Thursday for Hartford — the same day that Henry
Fred and Underwood went to N. York– I have a crayon
sketch of himself on my mantlepiece– he gave me the day
he left a poem address dedicated to "Mr Seward"– "The
Mutes lament" which made me cry when I read it– Henry
had corrected it for him as he said "harmonised it"—
He promised to write to me— I shall always feel much interest in
him– It is a beautiful trait in women's character that they
are always, even the most depressed generally even those
who are not particularly amiable, inclined to cherish the helpless–
I was struck with this in Carlin's case– none of my
domestics ever seemed disposed to find fault with the trouble
he gave them and all felt sorry when he left– Fred often said to
me– "Ma you would not like him half as well if he could
talk"– I always felt as one does on looking at an infant that
a smile would afford him pleasure– he was so sure of meeting it
that we never passed each other without a glance of
intelligence— Tuesday afternoon— I went yesterday to Troy
where I distributed some 25 cards among my fashionable
friends with P.D.A. (Pour dire Adieu) on on the corner I went
into no house but Mrs Boardmans where I found her lame
with rheumatism, Rosa dressed in absurd fashion, and Maryann
rather a cool day in October with a white dress low collar
and gay plaid silk apron with still gayer strings– I could
not respect a woman if she had strong claims to respect
who dressed so preposterously– Mrs Boardman enquired after you
affectionately as she always does– I staid but 15 minutes
promising to go again if I could– if I do not I shall write to her
I came home sick with headache and went early to bed– To
day I intended to drive the wan into the 'enemy's camp' and leave
quantities of cards here but the weather was unfavorable so
I employed my time in sewing up carpets in bale cloth
and packing— I have been out this afternoon for a pair
of shoes and walked I should think about a mile–
Tell Frances I see nothing very new in the way of dress
[ Mouslin de laines ] will continue to be worn– no particular
change in fashion— I had a de laine made in N. York but

as I was very particular in my directions I do not think it
is in fashion– I preferred bishop sleeves to tight which
the dress maker chose– the skirts are a little shorter–
Thursday we are to attend Miss Townsends wedding party
perhaps I may see something new— When I was in the
City they were wearing muslins which were made
invariably with bishop sleeves
The new hats are not at all pretty the form is something
like our old leghorns– the crown large, square and set
up– the front large and not so deep at the ears
every one I have seen on a young lady gave her the
appearance of 40– but they are fashionable which will
make them popular—
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
Paid W.H.S.
AUBURN
Oct
19
N.Y.

[right Margin]
I have written over all my paper without saying that Henry is relieved
to think you may prefer Carlin's picture of him to Spencers– I wish I
could see them together we wish you to have the best. the other
is to go to George for company for that of mine what
Jennings

x

Benjamin Seward

Birth: 1793-08-23 Death: 1841-02-24

once wished you to have– can you desire any way
to compose them–