Astor House Friday morning
My dear Sister
We came up the River yesterday instead
of last evening as we purposed – Our ride from
Auburn was as pleasant as the day would permit
found supper waiting for us at Mr Weeds –
Denis went to the City of Hotel, Abbey went home
a great proportion of the luggage was left at
the depot – I went in the morning to the
dress makers and after dinner we took a
Carriage and went to Troy to see Sarah –
found both of the Mrs Willards absent and
Mrs Winslow had been down and taken Sarah
home with her – So we drove there and made
an agreeable visit of two or three hours – Had
little Fan been along I do not know but we
should have been persuaded to stay all night –
however I thought I would save a day in New
York by taking the day boat as a night
on the River always unfits me for the next
day – Mrs Taylor came to see me and I called
a moment upon her in the evening – The young
ladies seemed disappointed that Fred was not
coming to Albany to spend the Winter instead of
going to Washington – The younger is very pretty —
Mr Hunt Morgan and Mrs Hilton were at Mrs

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should prefer fringe – however fringe is voted
very unfashionable – write what you think —
kiss Willie for mother –
your own
Sister

Weeds when I returned very busily engaged in
a game of Whist- I sent Mrs Morgans
package in the morning – I am afraid I
ought to have made more enquiries about Mary’s
going with us – Did Mrs Pitney say any thing
about it to you? – I was so sick that
day that I neglected many things – We saw Mr
Patterson Whittlesey and Benedict at Weeds –
Gov & Mrs Fish called while we were at Troy —
Frances went in the morning to call upon
Emily and in the afternoon accompanied us to
Troy – she enjoyed the visit and drive except
crossing the Ferry which is never pleasant to me –
Fanny went home with Abby and spent the day —
We came off in the Alida at 7 oclock – I was
so sick all day that I saw little on the boat –
Frances was on deck a part of the time –
the sun shone pleasantly but the air was cold –
George Seward came up to Albany Wednesday
evening and is yet with us – he went to see
Sarah – Sarah was a little homesick but
on the whole pleased with the school –
Tell Caroline that Sarah wishes very much
to have her come down by the way of Troy –
I should be glad if it could be so arranged –
It is a lonely feeling to be among strangers –
Tell Fred that he must by no means
neglect Willie's lessons – Let him study at
least 2 hours every day at a stated period

11 oclock – Frances and I have just returned from a fruitless
expedition to Stewarts – Nothing is to be seen there
either velvet or silk but sacks and sack cloaks
which she does not want – I advise a large shawl
but Frances is undecided – My dress has just come
from Albany and of course does not fit me consequently
I am left without any dress here but the "bombazette
curtain" – Webb you know has the mission to Austria
they he is in Washington – the girls are preparing to go
as they are to sail before long – Saturday morning
I suppose Frances letter will tell you why mine
was not finished yesterday – We were at the shops dress
makers & milliners from 11 to 3 – then came
dinner or at least company an hour prior —
then dinner – after dinner I went to see the Dusseldorf
pictures and Powers sculpture which is very beautiful
Of course I was too tired to do any thing but go to bed
when I came home – Frances has told you about
our purchases – It was impossible to get any
thing but a shawl – hers is pretty and fashionable
if she requires any thing more I will get it for
her when any thing but a sack can be found —
I have my bombazine only with a mantilla of
the same – every thing else is interdicted for full
mourning – I am very glad it saves me much
trouble – my dress must be made in Philadelphia –
We have not time here – we leave here today at 4 oclock
escorted by Mr Truman Smith U.S.S – Henry stays
for Mr Blatchfords dinner to which I was likewise

invited – I return no visits as I cannot make all –
This morning I attend prayers at Trinity
with the Webb’s — then finish shopping – before dinner
I shall be glad to get to Philadelphia where
it will be more quiet – George Grier Mary
Seward, Dr Jayne and a friend of Marys a
dowdyish looking (dont say this to Caroline) Miss
Thompson came yesterday morning – all here
I have seen Mary but a few moments – I appointed
this morning before breakfast for an interview
that being the only time we are alone – Mary
has thrown off all her mourning and appears
in a green bonnet and red shawl – I am
sorry to see it – Dr Jayne is rather a well
looking young man – Frances did not wish to
pay more than $30 for a shawl so I added
the $5 as she bought it with my advice
Mrs Bowen was our dictator about fashion –
she went with us every where – I have not
seen Bowen – Mrs Draper was with Mrs Bowen
in the Country they came in yesterday – I have
not seen Mrs Draper - Henry told her not to come
We will write again from Philadelphia -
I will try to get the fringe in Philadelphia
but fear I may not succeed – in New York
when a thing ceases to be fashionable it is ‘out
of the market” – They have a kind of gimp
braid with which they trim velvet – I would
have purchased this had I thought you would
like it – it is pretty – but is out of New York I