Washington – January 18 – Friday
My dear Sister
Fanny has been sick for two days
past and I have consequently been confined to the
nursery – She took cold and had a cough
and the fever to which she has been subject
for some months past – Last night I sent
for a physician – it was a very difficult
matter to leave the abiding place to Dr Green
the homeopathic physician to who whom I had
been advised by Dr Helmuth to employ –
No one here knows anything about homeopathy
and I think they will probably continue some
time in a state of darkness – Dr Green is a
sensible man, well educated and must
have been a practitioner in the old school a
long time as he appears at least 50 years
old – he says he has been here 4 years but
has a very limited practice – verily the
the people of the South are decidedly averse to
change – When I migrate I shall go West
where people are willing to lear become wiser
and better – Saturday night – I attempted
to make some calls to day but my head ached
so I was glad to get home again —

[top Margin] How is Mrs Miller

x

Mary Miller

Birth: 1785-04-24 Death: 1870-04-17Certainty: Possible

— remember me
to her— Love to Clara

x

Clarinda McClallen

Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05

‑ Sunday morning—I have been
this afternoon to Church to hear Dr Pine

x

Smith Pyne

Birth: 1803-01-09 Death: 1875-12-07

— The Church is so
full we can get no seat in the morning—How much I
wish you to hear Dr Pine—He is so original so earnest

[middle Margin] I told Henry Chesbro that my letter would
reach you before he did but this I
doubt

Fanny is much better to day – Last Tuesday
night George Seward made his appearance
with a large trunk from the Island of Cuba
Henry had gone out to dine – Fred and
Frances were preparing for a party – I did not
feel willing to tell George we could not
keep him though Henry would have done so had
he been home – I consulted with Fred who
said he would share his bed with George
if I could dispose of Willie – So I made
a bed for Willie on a little couch
(manufactured by Charles) and some chairs
and George's trunk was put in the nursery
– there it still remains and may for some
days to come – though when Fanny was
so sick Henry was obliged to invite George
to seek lodging at the Hotel as he must
occupy part of Fred’s bed – Last evening
they all went to the Presidents – at which
time I took leave of Henry Chesebro as he
was to leave in the morning – John Sibley
I saw but once I believe he was not pleased
with Washington – and I think Henry was
not either – perhaps you may learn why
"I like Washington" as John Quincy Adams

said of General Scott when he was
decried by all his family – Since I have decided
upon having one day to receive company
I find that my time is much more at
my own disposal and were it not that
Henry wants to invite company to dinner
very often we could live very quietly— One
of these days I hope to have all the calls and
cards returned – There never was a place I think
where people can be more independent than here
no one disputes your right to dispose of your
time as you please – My reception day is
Friday – It continues through the evening –
the two last it has rained – I have not made
it generally known, that is it is not written
or printed on all my cards—I have only mentioned
it occasionally that it might be known why
I am "not at home" other days—I thought as
I am in mourning this winter that the least
ostentatious way in which I could receive com-
pany the better – Fred and Frances do a deal of party
going – I do not know how they get along
with so little sleep – Mrs. Emma Willards card is on
our table to day – I must invite her here – Mrs Wilson
is also at the National – and many many more
to add to our list – this perpetual calling is very
tiresome – I suppose it will last a month to come
I have another letter from Augustus – but I remember
now I mentioned it in my last—

Clarence will come here some time in March and you
must come with him – It is necessary that you
should have the advice of a physician and you
can be as quiet here as you choose— I may not
get home until the latter part of April though
I cannot tell now – I have written to Augustus
to let me know if there is the least uncertainty
about his coming home – if there is I shall go to
him before I go North again – He says nothing further
about coming home in any of his last letters – I cannot
think of another summer without seeing him–
Frances says she is going home when Fred does
which I suppose will be about the time Clarence
comes here – though we will arrange it so that
you can meet – I am quite desirous to get
another letter from Auburn – I am sorry Pa did
not let Mr Underwood hire a man – John's
being there amounts to nothing – He has sufficient
occupation with his own family and is useless to any
one else – I wish Henry would let Dennis go
home – Wednesday we went to Georgetown to
see Caroline – She was not well then and rather
discontented – Henry went out to day – he found
her better and more contented – Willie has
theatrical exhibitions every two or three nights – it
seems to amuse him – I have a letter from Matilda
Webb from Liverpool – also letters from Frances
Seward and Mrs Dr Jayne – I do not know
when they will all get answered