Albany Friday 20^th
My Dearest Sister, The morning we left home proved warm and
not unpleasant but the roads as far as Cammillus were
dreadful and I was so jolted and bruised that I was al-
most sick when we arrived at Utica. We came you know
in an exclusive extra and as the way bill says in "fine style"
our horses and stages were exchanged with as much expe-
dition as the telegraph. We got to Syracuse by eleven
oclock – staid but a few moments – I sent my card up
to Mrs Baldwin – she came down and was as insipid as
ever – Baldwin had gone to Albany for a few days – I did
l not see the baby – we dined at Chittenango – did not
go to see Mrs Yates. When we came to Vernon it commenced
snowing and continued through the night. I was somewhat
afraid to ride as it was almost impossible for the driver
to see the road, but we arrived at Utica at nine oclock
without any accident except the breaking of a whippletree
took our tea and went to bed pretty weary. Gus was homesick
all day and said it made him feel very bad when he thought
about Grandma's crying – asked me if I thought she was crying
yet and wished I would go back with him. Fred wanted
to know if we had got to Albany when we stopped at Elbridge
and before night he said he did not want to go to Albany
it was so far off – he was very tired and wanted to go home.
The first thing we heard in the morning was the arrival of
Mr and Mrs Cary and the children some time in the night.
They came to Auburn in the Telegraph about half an hour
after we left. It was their intention to spend a day with
us and then take an extra with us and go in on to Albany
finding us gone they continued their journey in the Telegraph
and were a few hours behind us all day. We were all very
very happy to meet in the morning. Walter and Sarah Mr Cary's
little niece were with them both going to Albany to school.
We left Utica at nine oclock in an exclusive extra on runners

We all felt well and came on very pleasantly – that night we stopped
at six oclock at Funda's about 50 miles from Utica – finding very
comfortable accommodations we concluded to stay there all night –left,
the next morning after breakfast at 8 oclock and took the car at
Schenectady at one – got in to Albany just at dinner time. We left
the Cary's at the Rail Road house, they went to Congress Hall. Mr
Cary having written to Landon some time before to reserve rooms for
him was fully persuaded that he had done so and Mrs Cary preferred
going to Congress Hall as she had spent two winters there. We came
immediately to Bements – had dinner by ourselves at 3 oclock – I think
I shall like it here very much – our rooms are much larger
than those we had last winter – the house is quiet, well kept,
and the people and servants very accommodating. We had
hardly finished our dinner before Mr and Mrs Cary came down
in pursuit of rooms – the rooms at Congress Hall were all
engaged except the one Tracy had occupied and that they
did not like. Tracy had left Congress Hall and gone
to Mrs Lockwoods. After considerable deliberation they
concluded to take the room occupied by Mrs Spencer last
winter – it is a fine large room, handsomely furnished, the
only objection was that there was no bedroom attached to it.
Weed came to see us soon after our arrival and told us that
Birdsall was very sick – has not been well since Henry went
home – has the remitting fever and is excessively nervous. Tracy
who is his principle nurse and is unremitting in his attention
to him does not allow any one to visit him as the least excitement
injures him. I wish very much to go and see him, but must wait
until he is better which I hope will not be long. I believe
Dr James does not consider him dangerous although he does
not appear to get any better. Henry went to see him this
morning – he is at Miss Motts on Chapel street. Mrs Tracy
has not come down yet. Tracy expects her the 1^st of January
with Mr and Mrs Clary from Buffalo. Clary is a member
of the Assembly. Tracy came over in the evening
and staid until eight oclock. All make many enquiries
about you and enquire if you are not coming down this
winter. Henry was at an auction today and purchased
a fiddle for Augustus which has not ceased to afford musick
for us since its arrival. The room for the children is

pleasant – has a franklin stove and when the sun shines which
is not the whole time you know he makes us merry with
his beams. Mary ann was a little homesick the first night but
says today that she enjoys herself very much. Saturday morning
I intended to have finished and sent this letter yesterday but
you know how short the days are and how little time one finds
to do any thing. After breakfast we went into the parlour and
remained there until our rooms were spwept swept and dusted –
then Tracy came in a minute before going to Court – then it was
ten oclock – by the time I had unpacked my things and written
a few lines it was time to comb my hair for dinner
while I was engaged in this arduous undertaking Tracy came
in – staid a few minutes – Henry came home – Sarah Cary
came for me to go and see Mrs and Miss Brinckerhoof in
her Aunts rooms. I went without dressing and by the
time they had finished their call and Mr Benedict had
made his I had only 15 minutes left to dress – went to
dinner – came back – went to Mrs Cary's room – concluded
to go out and ask Miss McLaren what I must wear this
winter – [ wen ] t to get my cloak – found Weed in our ro[ om ]
his eyes are [ qui ] te as handsome as ever and his voice a[ s ]
melodious – he brought me a new novel which I am
I do not know when I shall read having the Headsman already
on hand – very kind of him however. Henry said we would
not go to the mantaumakers but Weed would not stay so
after waiting almost an hour for all the Cary's to get ready
we sallied forth. Mr and Mrs Cary Walter and Sarah and
Henry and myself – went to Ostranders with Mrs C– to purchase
some yarn. Ostrander said he was married and keeping house–
Could not find Miss McLaren. Henry enquired at a Grocer
and then at Miss Motts – finally c succeeded in finding
the right house on the corner of Chapel and Maiden lane —
Engaged her to make a pelisse for me next week did
not decide upon the materials – went to Mrs Roberts —
engaged her to make a hat – will tell you all about them last
that is the pelisse and hat when they are finished-In the mean-
time we had disposed of the male part of our party – I never liked
going with men to the milliners you know – came home by the time
we were uncloaked tea was ready and then it was dark and I could
not write any more – so you see how the time goes – Myron
Holly Weed and Mr Cary came in, in the evening and wishing to have a
consultation with He Tracy they all adjourned to Mrs Lockwoods I
went to Mr Cary's room and Sarah read aloud for us until ten

oclock in the Headsman – then I went to bed and got up this morning
with the headache – the Cary children have been in our room until this
minute it is now nearly 11 – Henry has gone to Court. Walter is
a nice boy and Sarah is fat goodnatured and very affectionate.
We have all been reading French and having a merry time. Gus plays
on his fiddle and Fred has a new slate to amuse him. Mary ann
took them both out to the store yesterday afternoon. I wish to have
them go out every day when the weather will permit.
I want very much to hear from you all at home – whether
you are still at our house and how many of your numerous
engagements have been fulfilled. I will try and write some every
day. Tell Mrs Hills that we did not lose the box – My love
to Grandma and Clary and a kiss for Frances. Shall I write
to you again at Auburn – your own Sister Frances
Mrs Alvah Worden —
Auburn —