Balt. May 12th 1855
Dear Sis E.
We received yours a day or two ago, and altho I am very
much fatigued yet I will hastily write you a line or so before
night. Mr. H. has been rather more unwell yesterday and today. I
was up with him the greater part of the night. He is very nervous
and less able to bear pain than he was sometime ago. The swelling
is confined chiefly to the stomach and lower limbs. On Tuesday
last we placed him on a patent bed made for the sick, which would
raise him up in a sitting posture by means of cords and pulleys,
or raise him entirely from the bed, when he would be suspended as
in a hammock, and a good many other advantages, but like every
other patent invention we found the disadvantages more than equal,
so after giving it a fair trial we placed him on his own bed
again much to his relief. We do not wish you to trouble yourselves
about the eggs, as they are now plenty and very cheap with us.
When Mr. H. sent that little note they were very scarce, and
brought a high price as it was about Easter and during Lent. You
know the Catholics must have them at any price. I have not time to
say more, but will write again soon. The rest of us are well, for
which we are thankful. Write soon. Our love to all—in haste
yr aff Sis
E. P. Hamilton
(Mrs. M. G. Hamilton to Mrs. D. G. Smith)
