Staten Island – Sunday
My dear Sister,
We are here with the Doane's who are all
kindness and hospitality. When you last heard from me I
was expecting to go to Sharon Springs with our afflicted little
boy – Dr Williams disapproved of our going to the Springs and
and a letter from from Dr Francis of N. York determined us to
come to the city for advice. We came away Thursday
afternoon intending to spend the night at West Point with
Augustus – Clara came with us intending to go no further
than the Point – Henry Underwood came to return with her –
Harriet as nurse and Nicholas, valet — Soon after
we came on the boat a storm arose which continued
through the night and prevented our landing – I was very
sorry particularly on Clara's account who was brought to
N York against her inclination – however she made no
complaint – never does – We staid at the Astor house –
Went to see the Croton Water works – and spent the evening at
Nilla's garden – Clara was sick all night and I the

next day – Clara and Underwood left for Albany Saturday
morning – I have not heard from them since – Dr Francis
came to see Willie – he seems to know just about as much
as other Dr's and no more – that I of course anticipated
he is rather inclined to think Willie's eyes will get well
again – gave him some purgative medicine of course – – advises
light and air – did not seem to think it would do
either good or harm to come here – I came because I
had promised the visit a long time and probably shall
not be in this region again very soon. We came over yes-
terday afternoon having refused a number of pressing invitations
to go elsewhere – The situation of this house is very beautiful
looking directly upon the bay on the N. East end of the Island
not far from New Brighton, the watering place – There
are three Hospitals in the immediate vicinity which is
not quite so pleasant – one for Yellow Fever one for Smallpox
and the General Hospital – beside a number of other buildings
on the Quarantine Ground — Some 15 or 16 vessels are
anchored in the bay performing quarantine, with their
sails furled & apparently deserted by all living things
beside these many smaller craft are sailing about with
their canvass spread, many row boats, and every hour a
steam boat comes and goes to New York —

Mr Blatchford came here to dine today – told me that Sam
and Mary were still in Canandaigua – they have made you a
much longer visit than they proposed — I left dear Freddy
at home with Abbey and Mr Carlin – Cl Carlin's picture is
a complete failure which occasions us much regret – The likeness
is sufficiently strong but it looks like some of the faces of
Washington seen upon sign posts, which certainly give you no
idea of a living and breathing person – Henry says Harriet Weeds
is of the same character – I regret it exceedingly as I am much
interested in him – Mary Seward is somewhere in this vi-
cinity – I have not seen her yet – She is visiting a Mrs
Rhodes — Mrs Mumford is also here – I have been told of
a report that Mary is to be married to a Mr Thompson
an old bachelor boarding at the Astor House – I hope it may
be true – Monday morning – It is a bright warm morning
this place is beautifully situated – Willie's eyes are
not materially improved though I think he bears the lig[ ht ]
rather better – I wish to leave here tomorrow – make a
visit at Mrs Webbs another at Drapers and then proceed
to Florida – how thankful I shall be when it is all
over – moving will be nothing in comparison to setting
up to be agreeable for 5 or 6 days in succession – I
verily believe it would kill me in a month – which shows
how adverse it is to my natural character – I think upon
the whole it is rather a vain attempt and the exertion neither
others nor satisfies myself — Were you not
surprised by the nomination of Firman – I never had been
told that it was talked of — Bradish is very happy –
I close this letter in haste that it may go to N. York
on the next boat – Clara was to leave for Auburn on
Monday – I tried to persuade her to stay longer here
but she could not – H. Underwood goes with her to Utica
I am writing with a steel pen Your own Sister –

Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua