Tuesday morning
My dear Sister,
A violent headache for the two last days
has prevented my writing — yesterday morning Ganson called
with your letter — William came and told me that a
young gentleman wished to see me a moment — I
supposing it to be a messenger from Dr Robinson whom I
was expecting went to see him — my head was aching
so violently that I could hardly see any thing but
I had intelligence enough left not to mistake the
fine looking young man who presented himself for
the Dr's pupil — still I did not dream of its being
Ganson even when he had handed me the letter
and expressed his willingness to take any thing I chose
to send to you — I invited him to walk in which he
declined — just as I was leaving the hall a glance
at the letters made him known to me — I again
invited him to come in but ^again^ he declined — I was
sorry after he left that I did not ask him to call
for this letter instead of saying I would send

it to the American — but I hesitated to give him the
trouble and in truth have been so sick since
that I believe it was quite as well that I did not
I do not know why but the Ganson I had in my mind
was a short stout common looking personage — I
was very agreeably disappointed in his appearance —
My boys are still free from scarlet fever — Harriet
has been very sick — is now better but I am afraid
it will be a long time before she entirely recovers
the previous state of her health will I think retard her
recovery — Nicholas has watched with her faithfully
I had a small stove put up in the room over
the "library" where they are very comfortable —
After the appearance of the rash she became much more
ill and has not been dressed since — her throat is
badly swollen through not much cankered —
Since Saturday Dr Robinson has been too ill himself to
go out he had an attack of inflammation Friday
and very imprudently came out Saturday — I have
not seen him since — he then told me that he expected
Dr Beigler — as he did not come here I think he
probably did not remain if he came in town
I have seen nothing yet to induce me to disapprove
of the homoeopathic practice indeed I am more
and more in favour of that method — William had
a bad throat for which he took no other medicine
I have been twice relieved of sore throat and cough
and Willie's eyes are to say the least quite as
well as with under the aliopathic practice, his
general health much better — It seemed to me
like a strange kind of infatuation when Henry after a

night of oppression proposed that I should give
him a portion of salts — I declined the pleasure —
Seneca Wood was here one evening last week — we discussed
the subject of homeopathy — he and Pa came to the
conclusion that it was a very good kind of medicine
for people who were not sick — it provoked me
to hear this said when poor little Harriet was at that
time so great a sufferer — I did not think Seneca's
arguments amounted to any thing — he objected to the
method because the portions were so minute and because
he had known a quack who practiced in that way
he seemed entirely to overlook the principle upon
which this medicine is administered and upon the whole
talked as unphilosophically as a man might be ex-
pected to do who has done nothing but read medical
works and take medicine the last 20 years
having taken such immense quantities himself he
seems fully persuaded that a small portion cannot
be efficacious or a larger one produce any ill effect
upon any other person — James Horner was here
Tuesday evening — on his way to Lockport — he did not
tell us any thing new about Albany gave an
amusing account of the "expose" of Animal Magnetism
at Dr Buchanan's lecture — You have seen some
account of it in the papers — Cochran it appears
carried on this deception for the purpose of satisfying
himself of the truth of the Science — his disclosures how-
ever prove nothing except as relates to himself and the
assertion of Dr Buchanan that he could not be deceived
by a patient — which was certainly indiscreet — I have
no doubt but the Magnetizers always deceive themselves
more or less if their patients do not cheat them —
I wish Dr Robinson would let it alone — it has
the effect of making many disbelieve in homoeopathy
and I have many doubts about Mesmerism ever being

made useful as a medical agent — the effect if any there be
seems to be only temporary — I had a long letter
from my boy at West Point last week — he seems
to be under the impression that I have consented to
his going to the Academy and is consequenly very
happy — wishes his father to get his warrant
if possible without delay —
Henry is as much confined to his office as in days of yore
I only see him at his meals — Clara cannot make up
her mind to leave home in the Winter — perhaps she
will be more pliable the next thaw — I have
not seen H. Underwood in a week — if Ganson
does not go back to day the letter will go by mail
Your own Sister —


[right Margin] I believe I have not mentioned that I could not find the
lace — your silk is dyed I would send it by Ganson
but cannot put it into a very small compress
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
Mr Ganson