Vienna May 4 ‘1850
My dear Mrs Seward
It is now sometime since I recieived
a very kind letter from you, and the only reason
that I have not acknowledged it before was that my
time was so taken up with letters to my family. Our
friends have all been very kind since we have been
away and one appreciates a kind letter when away
from more than those who write them have any idea
of. We will leave Vienna the seventh of this month
and go immediately to Italy. Our route is from
Fueste to Venice and from thence we shall part to
Naples where we intend remaining untill the
weather becomes too warm. We will then go to Switzer-
land and take up our quarters at Interlachen and
go home in October by the way of Bremen. We have of
no regret leaving Vienna as we have seen all there
is here and we long to be moveing again. The last
few weeks have been much pleasanter than the first
part of our stay here. Once the Spring apeared we
have made made excursions into the neighborhood and

have enjoyed them exceedingly. The environs of Vienna
are perfectly beautiful, I have never seen anything
finer in my life than the scenery between this city
and Baden a small wa^t^tering place near Vienna,
The city itself is very pretty. The walls are truly mag-
nificient they are so high and so massive. There are
two or three old castles in the neighborhood and I
have enjoyed exploring them very much. It is worth crossing
the Atlantic to visit these old places. We made a
trip to Hungary that we enjoyed very much. We went
down the Danube as far as Prut and after staying
there a day returned and visited Pressburg which
though not the capital is the place where the coro-
nations of the Emperors as king of Hungary always
takes place. The old Castle was destroyed by Napoleon
but the Emperor intends rebuilding it next year.
For a short distance the Danube is very pretty but
generally speaking the country is very flat. We never
saw comfortable looking farmhouses or pretty country
seats as with us. The people all live in villages composed
of a quantity of mud hovels with a small church in
the middle and generally speaking go out two or
three miles to their work. They look more like gypsies
or Indians than anything else indeed they are not near

as respectable as Indians. We felt quite anxious a few
weeks ago about my brother Robert.He had one of his
usual spring coughs and he applies himself too close-
ly to the office. I am glad on this account that
we are coming home for he feels the responsibility
so deeply. Mary worried herself sick during his illness.
Watty wrote to me that he had been confirmed and
been to the Communion. It made me very happy to
hear it. It shows I think that Mothers instructions
and prayers have not been in vain. I do believe
that her spirit watches over us and that she rejoices at
this occurrence. Give my love to Fanny and remember
me to Mr Seward. Louise sends her love. Father sends
his kindest regards. I hope it will not be long
before we hear from you again .
yours affectionately
Helen Matilda Webb.

h Matilda Webb
May 8^th
1850