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I promised in my note of this afternoon that I would
write to you tonight. I find myself so tired however & have so
many things to talk about that I will beg your indulgence until
tomorrow, when I trust it will be no sin to finish that I now commence.
I wish my darling little wife now away in Virginia a happy
& refreshing slumber regretting much that I must wait yet a few
days before I can lay my head in her dear bosom-my sweetest home.
Good night! God bless you!
Sunday night.
I resume with gladness, my love, the work I began last
night. And first I must tell you, as I have been accustomed to do,
what have been my wanderings since last I wrote. On Thursday we
left as I think I told you, the Schoharic Valley and came to Albany
where we stopped at a very excellent house "Congress Hall" Friday
morning Mr. Macready & myself walked out to the residence of Prof.
Hall, who received us very kindly. We spent the morning, looking
over his vast collection of fossils. We took wine with him. After
dinner we called again upon him, and when I was about leaving, he
took me over to his dwelling, some distance from his museum, to
introduce me to Mrs. Hall, so that, as he said, I might hereafter
feel free to call and stay at his house, whether he was at home or
not. I was very much pleased with this visit. I took the steamboat
that night and came to New York City. I have rooms at the Astor
House. Yesterday, a most pleasant day, I spent very agreeably at
the Astor & Mercantile Libraries, & at the Book & Instrument stores
I see vast quantities of books which I want, but have not means to
buy & so must practise self denial. It was while at Western Arms
that your letter was handed to me, having arrived while I was standing
ing in the store. I was overjoyed at seeing My Mary's handwriting-was
glad to learn the improvement in your eyesight, only to ge made
sorry that to contribute to my gratifica.n you had injured them
again. If you write at all, my dear, don't write more than a few
lines. I will suggest a plan, which will combine all possible advantages.
Let Summerfield or Mr. Broadus or any one who will, write
in his or her own name, all matters of news or of general interest
and then you, if you can without agony, put in a few words of love
I don't like any one's writing for you. They tell no more than if
writing themselves & it seems cold as coming from you. Let the
letters be directed to the "Astor House" New York.
I saw Dr. Schele yesterday but did not get a chance of
speaking to him. I have been approached by two old students since
I arrived, Mr. Maury & Mr. Hall of Norfolk. The latter was scared
away by the yellow fever.
I was much amused yesterday by seeing an announcement in
immense capitals hung against Barnum's museum, that there could
be seen at all hours, our old friend "the Swiss bearded lady, and
her son the infant Esau." Esau is represented as a tall boy with
a smock frock & an immense beard. I presume he is quite a rival of
his famous namesake, though I have not been to see him.
Today I have been at church twice—in the morning at the
old John St. Church, where we worshipped once, when in New York,
as you will recollect, & in the afternoon at Trinity Church. I
of it in time.
This is a most pleasant time to visit New York. It is so
remarkably cool, that one can walk in the sun even for a long
time, without being oppressed.
I desire to leave in the morning for Middletown, where I
hope to have a pleasant time. I have not seen Albert Hunt yet, &
know not where he is.
In reference to those books, do, my love, as you choose.
Lend what you please to careful persons, merely taking a note of
it to prevent forgetfulness. Enjoin upon Summerfield not to soil
your Waverley-as we value them so much.
I hope my little daughter does not disturb her dear mama.
Tell her, that her papa does not like that, but kiss her nevertheless
for him.
Providence favoring, I shall be at home next week, and I
assure you I shall not want to make any more long excursions without
your company, for a long time.
With many prayers for your happiness, I remain in unabated
affection, your devoted husband,
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