University of Virginia Library

I wrote to you last from Burlington I think. Tuesday
morning we left that place & crossed Lake Champlain in a steamboat,
landing at a place called Port Kent. Where procuring seats
in a stage we were set down at the Ausable river, 3 miles distant
a few yards from the stage road, we came suddenly upon an enormous
gorge, 200 feet deep, yet not more than 30 wide, fissured out
of the solid sandstone. Clmabering down this chasm, thro' which
the river flows, we made our first essay at breaking rooks. I was
so fortunate as to be the first to find the small shell we were
searching for. I think the sight of this enormous fissure, with
the dtriking scenery it presents, would have alone repaid me for
my whole journey. We went next day further up the lake to Chazy
landing & thence into the country again, to see what is termed the
Chazy Limestone & to gather its fossils, in which we succeeded
pretty well. Last night we went in an open wagon to Champlain, and
after a night of roasting in a hot attic room, rose this morning
pretty well wilted. We came today 114 miles by railway from Champlain
to Ogdenburg, across the northern portion of New York within
sight of Canada. Thence 75 miles by steamer up the St Lawrence
river to Cape Vincent, on the border of Lake Ontario. From C.V.
we came by railway this evening to this place, and are housed in
an excellent hotel. On our way up the river we passed through the
farfamed thousand isles of the St. Lawrence. They were very picturesque,
tho' not quite so striking perhaps as I had expected
them to be. We shall be in this neighborhood for several days, &
shall go hence to Lookport & thence to Buffalo & Niagara.

I have just requested Col. Jewett, who is writing home,
to have my letters forwarded to Buffalo, so that I shall not hear
from you, dearest, for ten days perhaps. This is very tantalizing.

I have been with two wedding parties on my tour, one on
the stage between New Market & Strasburg—where the bride appeared
quite overcome at leaving her home. Another today on the cars-viz
a lovesick couple, whose billing and cooing were sufficiently
amusing.

Our party consists of 7 besides the Colonel, 6 Southerners
& 1 Yankee. There are, Harrison of Missouri, McReady of South
Carolina & White of N.Y. all sent by Prof. Agassiz. Prof. O'Leary
from the Catholic's College at Emmitsburg Md. Hollowell of Alabama
Venable & myself. We make a great picture, in our shirtsleeves,
with our big hammers, striding through these Yankee towns—the
people staring at us & wondering what we find in the stones, which
we so assiduously pound. It is rare that one of us has a clean
shirt for half a day. I find however, that I care very little,
since I am unknown. We have been cajoling the apothecaries & barkeepers,
sometimes with difficulty, out of brandy & gin, of which
we carry several flasks with us.

I wish, my dear, you would say to my father that I have
hardly time to write to you, or I would with pleasure reply to
his last letter. I may get a chance however to drop him a line or
two. Thank him for his kind offer of money & tell him the object
of my visit North-which I thought I had done myself long ago.

Don't forget your husband, Mary, in your prayers. Believe
that he thinks of you, & loves to do so, longing for the time
which shall restore him to you. I prize your love far beyond any

earthly possession. Write to me, my dear, if there is anything
which you want that I can get for you here-or for
Eliza. Kiss her for me.