Monday F March 4^t
My dear Sister,
I had the nervous headache so violently
all day yesterday that I was incapable of accomplishing
any thing – though my head continues to ache I am
much better to day – Pa has been sick since last
Wednesday with the gout – most of the time unable
to sit up– Dr Robinson is attending him and I think
if he could have been persuaded to have taken the
medicine moderately he would by this time have
been quite well but like most other people he
thinks there is so little of homeopathic remedies
that you cannot take too much – he has
once brought on a relapse and by taking Bryonic
and is now pros prostrated by the immoderate
use of aconite – I give him all his medicine in
the day time but am obliged to leave some with
him prepared in water to take during the night which
instead of taking once he takes half a dozen times
When he gets well he will say that there is nothing in

the medicine but that he has been cured by dieting – although
he never had an attack before without being bled and
suffering infinitely more than he has done this time –
Last Monday I went to Mrs Miller– Mr Croswell
had just left her after persuading her to send for Dr
Diamond – her face was very long and she was altogeth–
er disagreeable that I was glad to come away – I do not
think she complained of any thing but debility – for that
she was inclined to blame Dr Robinson – Diamond gave
her quinine which made her head ache violently
a day or two, I have heard since that she was better
though I have not seen her – Clara and I went to call
upon Mrs Smith who was not at home– after going to
the book store I came home and have not been out of
the house since – I am troubled about my boy– his
report for Feb January gives him 21 marks making in all
100 for 7 months – his father has written to him on
the subject– We hear through a third person that
Augustus has a bad roommate which is the means
of his getting into much difficulty – to us it always
has been perfectly inexplicable that a good dutiful child
like Augustus could merit the disapprobation

of his tutors – some evil interference must be operating against
him which we cannot understand – Unless some change takes
place he will be obliged to resign his warrant – I have
a letter from him but he says nothing about his demerits
I would give the world to be with him one hour– reluctant
as I know he would be to implicate a third person I think I
could extract something from him – I know him well enough
to be sensible that he will sooner be dismissed from the
Academy than make any complaint of his room mate – It
grieves Henry very much – I wish his ambition for his boys was
like mine limited to their virtue and usefulness– It is better
at present to say nothing on this subject which can never
be perfectly understood by any one who does not appreciate
Augustus– Henry went yesterday evening to Syracuse
and to day to Albany– returns this week– he would go to
West Point but the river is closed– Clarence is making himself
very uncomfortable about this time – he has attended three balls
while that excitement lasted he was cheerful – now he is
discontented and unhappy– wants fine clothes and more spending
money than Henry feels able to give him – has been teasing
me for two or three days to ask his Uncle to allow him to go
into a store where he can get $60 a year – for the sake of fine
clothes and spending money he is willing to forego the advantages
of a liberal education and is not satisfied that his uncle
and I will not think as he does – Henry tells him to do as he
pleases but of course that he cannot approve of his making
the change – He does not seem to take into consideration the
circumstance that his clothes have always cost more than

$60 a year since he came to us – Fred is well and attending
school – trying chemical experiments and reading – Willies
eyes are very much inflamed they have been getting worse
some days – Clara was here last evening – she is well
again–
I should like to hear how you get along with your German &
Prussian – Judge Conkling has not yet returned the 1^st vol
of Prescott, Mexico – I dont know as he intends it – Tell Frances
I should be very glad to have the visit– I believe Fred has
no vacation until May – Your own Sister–
AUBURN N.Y. MAR 4
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua