Monday 15^th
My dear Henry, I have just received your second letter am very sorry to hear
that you have been sick one day I hope it is not a prelude to a more
serious indisposition. remember your promise to send for me if you are ill
I shall be alarmed if I do not hear from you every post. You advise me
to exercise every day I suppose you mean in the open air. I have been very
remiss about this as yet my exercise in the house is about the same that
I have at home I have been occupied much of the time in completing
some of the unfinished work that I could not conveniently do without
and then it has been too cold for the last week to go out in the morning.
This week I am to make a frock for your Ma but will go out when it is
pleasant. This morning Marcia went to spend the day with her sister
your Pa and Jennings went to Newbergh and have not returned yet
so that we are quite alone. I read your letter to Ma she was very
much gratified and says you must not forget to write to her. do write
soon she thinks so much of your letters and what is very strange your Pa
does not give her the letters to read which you write to him. not even
the little one you sent by Augustus although she spoke of it once or twice.
Last night it lightened a great deal and thundered though not very hard
and Augustus was very restless and I could not sleep ergo I am very
sleepy to night so good night dearest.
Tuesday- This morning we were much engaged in making cake and
other preparations for company. When your Pa came home from Goshen he
brought word that Mrs Evans and Mrs Tuthill were coming here to day and
your Ma sent for Mr and Mrs Cummings. Marcia and Jennings returned
home before dinner and soon after came Mrs Evans Mrs Tuthill the Dr and
Tommy Thorn Evans a boy who is made a very great pet by his aunty and cousin
Frances. They asked me very seriously if I did not think him beautiful I
compromised with my conscience by saying he was very pretty. rather more
of a spoilt child than Augustus that is in any estimation. his mother acts
like a very rational woman and told Frances not to make a fool of the child.
Mr and Mrs Cummings came quite late. Mrs Cummings looks much better
than when I last saw her. I do think her intolerably affected however I do not
say so here as I perceive ^she is considered^ considerably superior to other people an opinion
which I imagine she shares with the multitude. We all drank tea

had a display of plate - glass and china that would have gratified the eyes
of Maria Miller provided it had all been her own a circumstance which
very much increases the value of articles in her eyes. Then we went in the
garden - and then they all went home and Marcia rode with Dr Evans
as far as Daniel Jesup's (is that spelt - right?) where she and Jennings are to
stay to night. and then I helped Ma put up the said plate, glass, and
china. and then my headached violently so I came up here to read, and
write to you an account of the proceedings of the day. I left Jennings
and his father very much engaged in discussing the utility of establishing
a Temparate Society in this village. Jennings was very warmly in favour
of the measure but his father appeared to very much doubt whether it would
have all the good effects that he anticipated. Jennings says I must tell you
that the seeds of Antimasonry promise a fruitful harvest in this part of the
country and Marcia says I must tell you that Jennings goes round among
his friends hoeing those seeds to increase their growth so that I cannot
perceive that anything else is requisite provided they have fallen on good
ground. I have read the Disowned as far as the death of Isabel
I think this a little too bad the author might have devised some less
severe trial for the virtue of Mordaunt now he must go through
the world a lonely man and then to destroy one of his most interesting
characters. you know I always had an aversion to these irreparable
catastrophys in novels I suppose the next I know Flora will marry
Lord Ulswater and then I shall read no more. Are not his sketches
of character very powerful, perhaps extravegant but of course do not
interest me less on that account. I can easily imagine that such things
might be as the love between Isabel and Mordaunt. but I suppose
I should be called foolishly romantick should I say this to any one else.
I was provoked with Serene once because she said she did not admire
Irving's "Wife" because there never could be in real life such an occurrence
the description was too much exaggerated. and I once knew N____n
previous to his marriage make the same observation. by the way you
do not let the family see all my letters do you? I am afraid (as Gus says)
they will think some parts of tha them exceedingly silly.
Wednesday evening - We have just returned from Goshen at nine oclock.
This morning your Pa went to Newbergh soon after breakfast. Marcia and
Jennings came back about ten. then we all took turns about ironing
that is the "women kind". then there were two old ladies whose names

I have never learned came to spend the day so Ma could not got to go to
Goshen with us, Polydore and Lockey and baby came. after we eat
dinner we prepared to go but did not all get ready until 3 oclock
in the mean time the mail came and brought me no letter from you
so I was very much disappointed. Marcia Lockey myself and the babies
and girl rode in the carriage George drove us Jennings and Polydore
rode in a waggon. I did not let Augustus go I thought two babies and
one little girl would be sufficient to put the house in confusion without
the assistance of him and Sarah. He wanted to go very much particularly
when he saw the horses but was a very good boy and bid me good bye
without crying although he looked rather sorry. His uncle Jennings praises
him very highly. We rode very slow the weather was very warm and when
we arrived our cousins thought we came very late. it was 5 oclock
it was our intention to have been there at 3. We had a pleasant visit of
course but I was frightened and sick on account of a thunder showers
which continued until it was time to go home. Dr Evans and Frances
ridiculed my fears probably thought them partly affected which Jennings thought
rather unkind and I think him one of the best men in the world. We
came home about dark Lockey and Polydore left us where the road turns [ to ]
go t[ o Summ ] erville. it rained and was cold most of the way home
I had [ no ] [ thi ] ng on but a thin shawl but am in hopes I have not taken
cold by the exposure. Gus was up waiting to see his Ma and has just
gone to bed where I shall soon follow him. Since Marcia has been here her
little boy has broke out with the chicken pox I suppose Augustus will have it
of course. Lockey's little girl had it just before we came it has left some
marks on her face. Thursday noon - I must finish this letter in a hurry
as the mail goes out this afternoon. I cannot hear from you again
until next Monday it seems a long time. Do not for the world
discontinue writing in your present manner I like it of all things
you know many little occurrences which transpire during the day would
seem unimportant and too trifling to relate did you defer writing
until the next. but every thing that happens in which you are concerned
will always interest me so continue in the way you have began
I will do likewise. Tell Lazette and Clary I am expecting answers
to my letters. Augustus talks of writing Pa a letter every time he
sees me engaged in that way. for Sarah's information do tell me
what Harry Schooley said about Aunt Patty's house was it burned?
your own Frances

William H. Seward Esq
Auburn
Cayuga County
hFlorida
7 June