Saturday evening
My dear Sister,
Your letter which I had been
looking for many days came this morning.
I am glad to hear that dear Mrs Waylands
father is so much better that she will not
be obliged to visit him at present – Indepen-
dent of other considerations I was afraid
she and the Dr would not make me
the promised visit in June – Cannot Worden
tell whether he will be at home in June
I should be very unwilling to have you defer
your visit if I thought there was the
least probability of your not being able
to stay stay some weeks at that time – Indeed
I would urge your coming now (as I want
very much to see you) and making a
long visit did I not fear that you and
especially Frances would be made uncom-
fortable by the derangement of our house
which will leave no comfortable abiding
place for some weeks – however I want you
to consult your own convenience I mention
this only that you may not be disappointed
if you come – Henry went to Albany last
Sunday night – he will be about nearly

three weeks – he was to go last night to New York
and from thence to Orange County – Fred came home
Monday night – he is a very agreeable young
man – wishes very much to have you and
Frances come here – if you do not he will
of course go and see you – I have been to Church
three or four times this week which has been
the extent of my outgoings – except once to
see Mrs Pitney and once to see Mrs Miller
who came very near having her eye put out
with a poker a few days ago – the poker was
in Washy's hand she turned her head suddenly
when it she struck her eye the lid was
badly burned her face very much inflamed
and swollen the next day – by the use of Arnica
a surprising cure was effected so that she was
well enough to go to Church Friday –
Sunday – I have been at Church three hours
and am very tired in consequence – Henry writes
"The codification bill has passed beyond the reach
of defeat or material change – So Worden
may be regarded as sure of the honourable place
assigned him and its salary of $2000 – I am
glad of this and hope it will bring substantial
comfort to Lazette" – Weed talks of going
again to Europe and taking Harriet with him –
I am much grieved by the termination of
my esteem for Clara Darling – the enquires

I told you I intended to make resulted in
developments which constrain me to believe that
she had not the purity of mind or strength
of principle which we thought she posessed – It is
a subject upon which I cannot write but I would
give much to be able to talk with you an hour
I do not want to judge her uncharitable and
shall endeavour while she remains to retain some
kindly feeling towards her My own observation had
led me to suspect much that is now confirmed –
She must be added to the list of those who have
disappointed me before by a ^having^ many fascinating
qualities without the solid basis of moral
excellence – She intends remaining at her brothers
boarding house after the family leave – I hope
Frances will say nothing to encourage this plan
for I believe it is much better for Clara herself
to go with the family – La It will be such a
good opportunity for you to come with Worden that
I do wish you would come if only for a
short time – Fred is troubled by my gray hair
will you send me some, a very little, of your dye
if left with Mr Seaver at the cars Wednesday
he will bring it as he will then be on his
return route – dont forget the pattern of dramas
for Fanny – the other appendage is very troublesome
to her – My housekeeping goes on very smoothly
minus the serving – I must invite Miss
Powers e here this week – she leaves as soon

as the river openes– I have a letter from Augustus
he does not allude to the Mexican War which
occupies so much of my thoughts –
Willie has kept Easter with coloured eggs – he is now
in the garden with Fanny and Margaret – the
garden is still very wet – Do remember me
affectionately to the Waylands – Love to Frances &c
your own Sister
Fred has entered quite largely into the quarters of Schenectady
this winter – not yet 17 –
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN N.Y.
APR