Sunday July 30^th
My dear Sister,
I have just finished a letter to my boy–
The day is so cold that I can hardly realize that it is the
same season as yesterday— Last week was excessively warm
yesterday quite intolerable— Henry did not come Thursday
as I expected– he was disappointed in some assistance he
expected to receive and having such an increase of labour
could not spare two or three days— He thinks now
he will come some time this week– but I will not
expect him– his work is in the press and must be
completed before the 16^th– You saw by the paper that he
read a discourse before the Senate of Union College that
is all that I know about it— The hot weather has
kept us at home this week— I have not been in the
street– have not been well— Serene went home Monday
I did not see her after the evening at Mrs Porters–
Birdsall came for her– She was very sorry not to see
you— Did I say I had not been out– I have been

two evening's to the lectures with Freddy– Tuesday evening
I was very much pleased so much that I should have
written for you to come out and had I supposed it would
do any good, and hear the remainder– Friday the
night was warm, the Church crowded full and the pew
in which I sat overflowing– among the number
Dr Humphreys crowded himself into the pew, which
would have been a pretty effectual method of destroying
my enjoyment under more favorable circumstances—
I felt no disposition to quarrel with Prof Bronson
but was very weary and thought the time of de-
parture would never arrive– By way of varying the
exercise and for the purpose of amusing a portion of
his audience, a Mr Nash is employed to sing, which
he does in the worst possible taste and without any
peculiar merit of voice– It is quite intolerable to
one to have an interruption of that kind I would
much prefer sitting still and listening to— nothing
Prof. Bronson's recitations are generally excellent
he recited on Tuesday evening the "Vulture and the
Infant"— I never by any Tragedy at the Theater had

my feelings more powerfully affected– he has wonderful
powers of voice added to a perfect appreciation of his
subject— Fred is very much interested– and does not get
weary so soon as his mother– all the clergymen attend
(gratis Pa says) Mrs Porter John and their children are there
with our literary neighbour Mrs Hills— Wednesday evening
she came here and asked me "what I intended to do about
Prof Bronson" I did not precisely comprehend her meaning but
said I should attend the Course of Lectures– asking her whether
she purposed joining a class— She thought not— Would William
join– he could not without interfering with his business–
Finally she said she should ask Prof. Bronson to her house to
tea and hoped I would come— New what her design
was in asking me what I intended to do I am at a loss
to discover— She is a very strange woman— She was very extrav-
agant as she always is in her commendations– I have some
doubt about the tea— Pa went yesterday to Seneca falls
and will probably go to Geneva before he returns– he had been
gone but a short time before Garry made his appearance
here– no one saw him but Maria– I was sick &
Clara engaged so he was obliged to seek his dinner
elsewhere a very untoward circumstance– Clara says
if she goes to Canandaigua she cannot go to Albany with me
I do not see why exactly but I wish her to make one more
visit to Orange County and think she may not have an
other opportunity– I know she will not go after she commences
housekeeping— She would prefer to have you come here first
but if you cannot do so thinks now that she and Fred
will come out next Saturday— Fred cannot stay as long
as she will he does not like to lose any of the lectures– You
are to return with Clary– what say you— if this
arrangement is changed I will let you know— I
should be very glad to have you consult a homeopathy physician
about Frances– if she is no better she certainly ought
to have something done for her— did the Dr's

prescription do her no good– Henry has said nothing yet about
my being in Albany at the time of the Extra Session I have
much hope that I shall be permitted to remain here
until the 1st of September–
I have finished the Political History do you want the 2^D
volume– I have many calls to make here before I go to
Albany and an appalling list when I get there
I am not surprised that you do not visit the young
ladies to spend time with you– it is certainly
AUBURN N.Y.
JUL 31

[right Margin] a great tax upon ones benevolence— Willie eyes continue very weak
so that he can be out but very little– he looks pale and this
in consequence– At present he is exceedingly happy in the society
of a maltese kitten which is his constant playmate–
your own Sister
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua