Balt. Feb 14th 1855
Dear Sis E Bro S
Your mutual letter of the 10th was received last evening,
and I was surprised to learn you had not received any letter from
us for some time past. I wrote you a long epistle immediately on
the receipt of yours four weeks ago and wondered why you did not
write again. How does it happen that our letters so frequently
misscarry. It was not the case between here and old Leesburg. The
blame must lie somewhere, and we may as well place it to the
charge of Post-Master Campbell and make the best of it. I wish it
was my pleasant task this morning to inform you that Mr. H. was
better, but it seems to us that he is very much the same that he
has been for some months past. The sore, the swelling, and indeed
all the symptoms continue pretty much the same. He suffers no pain
and the only difficulty he has is shortness of breath produced by
distension of the stomach pressing against the lungs. He is also
very nervous which prevents him from sleeping as much as he ought.
however we regard it as coming from the Lord and it is our prayer
and wish always to say "Let him do as seemeth him good". His appettte
continues good, he eats anything that he desires as his
Physicians make no restrictions with regard to his food, and yet
it is strange his strength does not increase. He is still unable
to sit up even in the bed, and cannot turn himself without a little
assistance. Not able to write even his name or else he would
write to you. He is generally cheerful, and glad to see his
friends. James pays him a visit once a week and Hannah once in two
or three weeks, sometimes they bring the Children with them. James
has entirely recovered his health and Hannah is very fleshy, weighing
between 180 and 200 lbs. The weather with us has been for some
time intensely cold it snowed now and then for nearly 3 or 4 days
and there was quite good sleighing. You speak of being deprived of
Church privileges in your new neighborhood. I can sympathize with
you in this respect as Mr. H's continued illness has prevented me
from attending public worship for a year and more, but we remember
that the Lord is not confined to places, and we have his word
to read and other good books, and in these and other private means
of Grace we often realize that he has not forsaken us. Pray for us
that our faith and patience may hold out, and
(Part of a letter from Mrs. M. G. Hamilton to Mrs. D. G. Smith)
