Auburn Nov 26^th 1843
My dear Son,
Your last letter came while I was
at Canandaigua – I went with your father who
was going to Buffalo to attend court – We left
here last Monday morning – Willie went along
his Aunty was very glad to see him and he seemed
to feel quite at home there – Uncle Worden had
gone to Buffalo – we had a very nice visit with
Aunty and Frances – were sorry when your
Father came Wednesday night as our visit
was c shortened a day or two – When we returned
the day was not so bright as when we went
Willie enjoyed looking out of the window very
much – his eyes are a little better than they
were – his health continues good and I encourage
his being in the open air as much as possible –
Frances is attending school – has much less
company than she did last Spring –

Aunty and Frances are to spend the month of
January here – The weather was so unpleasant that
I did not see many of the Canandaigua people
Mr Wood of course –– he is as busy as usual
Mr Prevost the Episcopalian clergyman died at
Philadelphia about two weeks ago – he was
very ill when he left Canandaigua – the physicians
did not understand his disease (which was found
by a post mortem examination to be an sn enlargement
of the heart) and probably accelerated his disease
by giving improper remedies – his congregation
are much greived by his death – his place is
not yet supplied – The Bishop preached his funeral
sermon at Canandaigua – Mrs Prevost will remain
with her friends – John Sibley called to see
me – he has grown to be more than 6 foot high
is thin and rather awkward in his carriage
he has become disgusted with farming and has
now commenced the study of law in his fathers
office – I should like to know how much of
the time which he spent at College will be

be allowed him – I believe he did not succeed in
getting fairly out of the freshman class – in 3 years –
I am asked innumerable questions about you
I do not fail to answer according to your
wish that you are as well pleased as you expected
I hope by this time as the first five months have
nearly passed that custom has rendered your
duties more easy – I must repeat a part of Capt. –
Taylors advice – do not for the sake of getting
the reputation of ^being^ a "good fellow" do any thing
which you know to be wrong – you will always
find the approbation of your own conscience of
more value than that of your fellow students –
Of course I do not reccommend a churlish disposition
be always kind obliging and social when you
do not find such a course of conduct incompatible
with your duties – I spent the evening with
Aunt Clara – she was very well then but has
a bad cold to day – Mr Mc Clallen went to New
York last week or rather the week previous – returned
Wednesday – he brought home a note from Mr

Webb who says Robert sailed the 2^d of this
month for China – I suppose it will be more
than a year before he returns – I make
use of Mr Morgans last frank to send you
some Money $5 – I should not send it
quite ^so^ soon were it not for the facility which
this letter affords me – We have not your
report for the month of Oct yet – September
you had 9 marks making 20 in all –
Clarence does not come yet – he will leave
Orange County before the river closes –
All send love – your affectionate Mother
F. A. Seward