Westfield March 1^st.
I have been anxiously waiting for the advent of March as the commence-
ment of Spring. It has come at last arrayed in all the terrors of
the Winter whose reign it denounced. But it is welcome to me my
dear Frances, come it in never so questionable a shape, for it
promises our reunion and the termination of my detention here.
Since writing my last I have constantly feared that what
I said in relation to "a tour in Holland" may have made you
unhappy with ill founded alarm. I beg you therefore
to reassure yourself if need be with the two especial con-
siderations I then presented. First that there is not as yet
any state of circumstances that indicates it will be ex-
pedient for me to go; and secondly that in no event
will I consent to go unless you and the boys will be
voluntary compagnons de voyage. Nothing further has
been heard on the subject since my last.
I live in so quiet a solitude here that I have [ nothin ]
of incident to amuse you. I was confined yesterday
to the house by a visitation of my ancient enemy, a
cold in my teeth. While sitting by the fire in my slip-
pers, I was called to the door by a faint rapping. A
modest little Quaker lady called "Does Seward live
here?" said she "Yes Madam." Is his wife at home?
Nothwithstanding her disappointment in this inquiry
Mrs Osborne came in to inquire about you and
all the family. She was not twtoo prudish as to decline
to dine with me and I was delighted with the visit.
I never saw a quaker woman that I was so much
pleased with, and The letter breaks off abruptly here. The remaining three pages, including the address is a letter from Lazette Miller Worden to Frances Miller Seward dated March 2, 1837 and the letter is posted on March 3.

1837