Sunday evening Albany
My dear Sister,
Here we are again – We left Wednesday
evening at three oclock — I persuaded Clara to come along –
I thought many times during the sleepless night preceding
our departure of the many, many times you had been
with me to assist and cheer – The prospect of a short
stay however prevented the depression I have heretofore ex-
perienced though dear Clara said she felt just as bad as
though she were not going along – McClallen accompanied
us to Syracuse – at Utica we met Henry at the depot
with Mr Devereux – took a hurried breakfast and proceeded
upon our journey which we accomplished in about the usual
time – The day was oppressively warm – poor Willie suffered
much with his eyes – it was pitiful to see him with
his face buried in a lap or on a cushion when he
would so much have enjoyed the journey – his patient
endurance of his affliction renders it the more touching.
He felt so large that day that he would not allow

any woman to hold him in their her lap – was much pleased
to find himself in Albany again which he says is his home
he remembered every body and every thing perfectly and enjoyed
a renewal of the intercourse with old worn out toys and
defaced books – His eyes became so much worse, together with
considerable fever that I sent for Dr Williams late Wednesday
night he is now undergoing the usual purging operations calomel
and rhubarb – the Dr fears that his disease has become chronic
and will require something more than the usual remedies – he
proposes as a counter irritant to pierce one of his ears and keep
it open with a thread in place of a blister – I shall not
subscribe to this barbarous operation until other means have entirely
failed – The bad success of Dr Robinson prevents my proposing
homeopathy again though were it my own case I should have no
hesitation in employing Dr Ward — Thursday I was sick all day
Friday the "Bank of England" Mr Parmly and the Lieutenant Gov
dined with us — the former seems to be a kind hearted
liberal old gentleman very intent upon acquiring information
about America – He has been to Niagara, spent some days
with the Wadsworths – spoke in very high terms of Miss Wadsworth

Mr Bradish was very agreeable and in fine spirits with
the prospect of being the next Governor — Yesterday it rained most
of the day — Blatchford and Bowen came and stayed until this evening
I am busily engaged when I have a moment of time in preparing
Clarence for school. he has grown very much and outgrown
most of his clothes – returns this week to school – I am afraid
Clara is having rather a dull visit — We went to see the Yates'
Friday morning – tomorrow I will try to go with her to Troy as
the nax next day we may have Lord Ashburton to Dinner – I
hope not – The Webbs are to be here this week – They are
yet at Sharon Springs – Mrs Ruggles is at Saratoga – She too
will be in Albany this week – Henry gave Ruggles a very proper
invitation to bring her here which I hope he will fail to do —
Mrs Blatchford Mary and the children are at Lansingburgh I presume
Henry will wish me to call them tomorrow if I go to Troy – it is not
vexatious — There seems to be no immediate prospect of an adjournment
of the Legislature – Upon the whole there will be no getting to
Orange County this week I fear and Clara thinks she must
go home at the expiration of the fortnight – Monday morning
I wrote my eyes out last evening – This morning I must finish
A abruptly [ We are ] going to the Capitol for Clara to see Geo Seal
Davis who used to persecute her so much when a child
and then to Troy – The Monday evening previous to my
coming down Henry had all the members state officers &c
to supper – Dr Doane's immense turtle weighing 120 lbs was
converted into steaks and soup for their entertainment together
with the usual accompaniments of ice creams oranges ices
jellies &c – This I hope was the last – I am sorry
on your account that the weather continues so warm
Freddy sends abundance of love – he will commence
school at the same time with Clarence — your own
Sister

Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
ALBANY N.Y.
AUG 28
hPaid WHS