Jan 31^st Tuesday
My dear Sister,
I have been sick since last Friday
with the prevailing influenza – Saturday I was confined
to my bed and most of Sunday – under the
benign influence of homeopathic remedies I am
now much better – Harriet and Nicholas came
back last Friday to make us much trouble I
apprehend – after dining here they went to Luke's
and remained until Saturday night when
they came back bringing with them little Harriet
sick I fear with scarlet fever – I was so
ill at the time that the necessary precautions
were not taken with regard to Willie – he was
allowed to play with Harriet and may have
imbibed the disease — Dr Robinson has all along
said I must be very cautious about his getting
scarlet fever as the inflamed state of his blood

would probably render the disease fatal to him – I have
twice given him belladonna but it increases the inflam-
mation of his eyes so much that I hesitate to repeat
it – I have until this morning hoped Harriet might
be only suffering from a cold – last night she was
very ill and this morning I think has more decided
symptoms than heretofore – I have sent for the Dr
who has not been here since Sunday – We must hope
for the best – Abbey and William are both sick with
the cold – Julia left last night – she has gone to
Mrs Sherwoods – Nicolas is waiting for Harriet
to get well enough to leave when he intends to go to
Albany for the purpose of getting a situation on a boat –
I wish they were all back again Harriet is discontented
here – the truth is they are spoiled by a city life and
will not be contented again out of it – I received
your letter Sunday – I hope Fans ball was successful.
Your account of your experience in teaching is much
like my own – Freddy studies the whole time
out of school on which account I refuse to hear any more

of his lessons – he seems to have come to the conclusion
that he cannot enter College after he is 16 and then
must enter Sophomore — Billy always appears
with his slate and pencil at the most inconvenient
seasons as his lessons come in at no particular
time being governed by the progress of his work –
Augustus has written to his father to procure his warrant
for him if possible that he may go to West Point
in June – I shall offer no further remonstrance as
he seems very decided about going – Clara believes
what I do not, that had I opposed it more last
Fall he would not have gone – but she knows little of
the fearful responsibility a mother would assume in
directing the education of a boy in opposition to the
judgment of his father who has had more opportunities
of observing in addition to his own experience – My conscien-
tious scruples with regard to a military education are
in no manner changed – on this subject I have ever had
but one opinion – it is in direct opposition to the precepts
of the Gospel — I was sorry Dr Hale came
to preach for us when I could not hear him – he
spent the remainder of the day with Henry – I did not
see him – He does not appear to think Philip Spencer
was so totally depraved as he has been represented – for
this I respect him – I have not seen Henry Underwood
since last week – do not know when he will go
to Canandaigua – Clara thinks she would rather wait
until the days are longer and warmer – Freddy
will be very glad to go when he has an opportunity –
Afternoon – Dr. Robinson has just been here - he says
Harriet has undoubtedly got the scarlet fever though not
badly – she plays about during the day – is sick all night
I am of course very anxious about my boys

Willie especially – his eyes are so much inflamed
today that he can hardly open them sufficiently to see
to walk across the room – I will write again soon
if our prospects are any worse than at present
In the mean it time I do not forget that we
are in the hands of a merciful God
Adieu
Your own
Sister
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN N.Y.
JAN 31