Auburn
Washington Jan 12^th —
My dear Clara,
I have just received a letter
from Lazette which, as I hope she will be
on her way here, before this reaches Auburn,
I will answer to you – I am glad to
hear you are all well at home, and
quite surprised to learn that the weather
is has been so cold with you, while it
is so delightful here – Tuesday the day
Lazette came to Auburn, was here so mild
that I remember going to the neighbours
without even putting on a shawl – We have
many days of bright sunshine during the
Winter which occur much less frequently
at Auburn – The Winters here are decidedly
preferable – my health is much better than
at home, this may be in some measure owing
to my being obliged to spend two or three
hours every morning in the open air, but

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Clarinda McClallen

Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05

F.A. Seward
1851

this I could not do with any comfort at
home, were the necessity equally urgent –
But there are many, many, days when I
long for the quiet of my own home –
Constant visiting wearies me, the excess renders
it a business instead of a pleasure – Henry
has a party of gentlemen, sometimes ladies too,
at dinner every week – and at other times
we seldom have less than one guest at the
dinner table – I cannot of course accept half
the invitations to evening parties which we
receive, but frequently feel constrained by some
peculiar circumstance not to decline – My
taste for such assemblies never very great
certainly does not increase with age, –
On the whole you perceive I shall be very
glad to come home at the expiration of three
months – The children have both been perfectly
well since we came, Henry is much better,
and I hear a good account of all who are
absent – all this I feel to be abundant cause
for thankfulness – I shall watch the
weather with some anxiety next month as
I suppose Augustus and Clarence will then

be on their way home - I hope when Augustus
comes to be able to persuade him to resign
his commission and fix upon some mode of
life which will not separate him entirely
from his family – He and Clarence seem to be
enjoying themselves very much –
Tell Fred that he has frequent invitations to
parties – the last was from Mrs King &
Mrs James King, which is to come off Wednesday
evening – We go tomorrow evening to the
Brazillian Ministers – The receptions at the
Secretaries have just commenced so that
every evening may be spent in this way
if one chooses – We have some five or 6
invitations already for this week – To me
it seems a toilsome & unprofitable way
of spending ones time, but in my opinion I
am decidedly in a minority among ladies –
the greater part of them enjoy it I believe –
I have not been to the Capitol this Winter
as I knew Lazette would wish to go frequently
when she came, I wait to go with her –
in truth I have as yet had no time, constant
morning visiting taking the time which might
be thus occupied –

I have been at home to day with the headache –
Henry and Fanny went to Church - Willie does
not like to go any better here than he did
at home – His chief amusement is his squirrel
of which he is very fond – The squirrel bites
every body but Willie & Abby – but he is
very pretty & playful – Willie keeps well
and attends to his lessons very punctually –
Wednesday evening – I received Lazettes letter written
the 10^th yesterday by which I learn that she
has not left Auburn- I have detained this
letter two days to hear Mr Schoolcrafts decision
about going to Albany – He thinks of going tomorrow-
if he does it will be a good opportunity for
Lazette to return with him - I shall learn some-
thing positive tomorrow when I will send this letter –
I have to day Fred’s letter of Sunday which I will
answer by and by – Monday night we attended
a very handsome ball at the Brazillan Ministers –
Thursday Henry had a party of 7 gentlemen to dinner,
Gov Anthony of Rhode Island & 6 others – to day
Henry dines with Mr. Webster – tomorrow with Sir Henry
Bulwer and tomorrow evening we attend 3 parties —
an hour at each being quite sufficient – It is tiresome
enough to me –
yours affectionately
Frances —