Sunday [ Nov. 31 ] ^st
My Dear Henry, I cannot allow Sunday to pass
without writing a few lines to you although my
eyes are weak and somewhat painful I have
not for the last two or three days been able to read
much but your letters and the editorial of the
Journal. I received your wednesday letter
yesterday morning and still reproach myself
a for occasioning you so much anxiety by not
writing earlier. I am always happy to hear that
you are well and cheerful though I may
perchance be desponding myself so dearest do
not ever hesitate on that account to write
precisely as you feel. The constant headache which
I have unfits me for every thing and deprives me
of all energy or that I cannot write so much
or so often as I would were I well. The Dr is
strong in the faith that he can effect a radical
cure if I follow his prescriptions although he made
the same attempt and failed some years ago. But
if he will cure my darling little boy I will
not complain of his want of skill. I am every
night awakened with the same cry which thrills
through every nerve. “O ma! my hand does ache
so hard.” The pain continues with slight intermissions
perhaps half an hour, bathing heating or rubbing have
not the least effect, it then subsides he sinks
into a quiet slumber and no complaint is
again heard until the next night. This ^is^ generally
after three in the morning invariably after midnight
I have not seen the Dr in a week he last time
he came we were all in bed that is the whole
of my family. Maria sleeps in the room with me
I send for the Dr again to night. Teusday I wrote
none yesterday. Mrs Porter came in in the afternoon
and remained until the time for writing had

gone by, it had become too dark for me to write. Mrs
P has not been here since her return from New
York until now, she of course had much to comm-
unicate especially touching our neighbor Mrs Hills, one affair was related which implicated me
but as I dislike writing long gossiping stories I will
reserve it until you come home. I received
a letter from Lazette this morning, she desired me
to give her love to you and to say she intended
writing soon. She remarks in answer to my commu-
nication about Rathbone that she is glad to hear
that the people in Albany, “have treated his money
with so much consideration” — this is undoubtedly
a just appreciation of the affair however Rathbone
is satisfied and it is all just as well.
Cushman’s greviances are indeed deplorable and seem
to be irremediable unless the satisfaction he has already
taken will satisfy him. I am glad you went
to see Sarah Cary and the Miss Carters they were
particularly civil to me last winter. Mrs Dudley
is very unprepossessing in her manners but I think
a woman of sense. I merely judge from conversing
with her an hour at Mrs Brinkerhoofs. Sam Foot’s
first wife was said to be a blue, and if his second
is a simpleton he has acted with as much
consistency as people usually do who are so
fond of changes -- “variety: the spice of life &c”
I should like to look in upon you now you are in
possession of our old room again but I only
wish to stay long enough to get one kiss as I
have no penchant for another winter in Albany.
Dr Nott is badly enough managed. Peter cannot
or will not learn and I am not quite well
enough to be always present to superintend the
making of fires, some days we have no fire
at all but I believe he has never failed
when I could stay in the hall and direct
him, but this only answers for that time,
however I think we shall get along better by
and by. I enjoy playing on my piano very

much the room is comfortably warmed by opening
the door into the hall when we have a fire. It
seems to accommodate Clary and Hugh also, he
spent the evening here Saturday. Clary says she does
not think she can get ready to be married
before New Years, by the way I wish to get her
a tea table shall I have it made at John Richardsons, we have no extra tea table about the
house which is suitable that is we have but
one, a small cherry one which has been much
used. The house is finished and Hugh impatient to
take possession. The Dr came yesterday. Sunday
I gave Frederick the Iodine just as he was
going to bed, his hand did not pain him, the
Dr advised me to continue this arrangement,
he slept well last night. I am glad you
think there is a prospect of Harriet Weed’s accom-
panying you home. I shall be lonely when
Clary is [ gone ] . You of course have told them
all that [hole] desired it very much. I am
getting strength daily and hope to be well enough
to be quite agreeable when you come home.
remember I do not say interesting as Mrs Smith did, it is dark I will conclude
in the morning.
Wednesday. My dearest Henry I received your
letter of Monday this morning my heart is too
full to answer it now. I will write again
soon, we are all better. God bless you your own
Frances.

William H. Seward
Albany
Auburn Dec. 4
F. A. Seward
Nov. 30. 1834