Goshen Tuesday 21^st
My Dear Henry, Yesterday evening I did not write I came home from Slate Hill
very much tired and was so disappointed because I got no letter. I am sure
there must be one at Florida although they have not sent it out. You have
been on Slate Hill a hundred times I suppose & I can tell you nothing new
about the beautiful views we have from thence I enjoyed it as much as I
always do such scenes and I now almost envy my cousin Frances her felicity
of expression that I might convey to you some idea of my feelings, but you
know I am not gifted with eloquence and from my childhood I have
always been deterred by my dread of ridicule from expressing my feelings
when they differed materially from those around me. Perhaps you will think
this extreme susceptibility to the opinion of others a weakness I feel it to
be so myself sometimes but it is a part of my nature over which I have as
little controul as I have over the fear excited by a thunder shower. Frances
always makes these fears the subject of her ridicule and I think had
I felt a disposition I might have retorted yesterday. She still loves
Woodward with all the enthusiasm natural to her character with all the
devotedness of womans love "which lives through treachery and slight". We visited
in the course of our ramble a favourite resort of his and Frances gave
expression to feelings (in words and gestures) which had they been mine would
have been disguised at almost any sacrifice. Still Frances is always cheerful
when with her friends and despises or says she despises as much as myself
the woman who would pine in love for a man who has forsaken her.
Yesterday too Woodwards father came here and Frances saw him and learned
accidentally who he was having never seen him before. She immediately
retreated to her room where I found her in tears. she said she would not
for the world have her mother or Aunt see her as they had never men–
tioned Woodwards name to her since his departure. I can percieve that
Frances still entertains the hope almost unconciously that he will yet return
and reed redeem his character. I fear this hope is groundless. I cannot
concieve any explanation that would be satisfactory. before I came here
the relation of his conduct excited no feeling but abhorrence of his villany
but when Frances told me of his many amiable qualities & his superior mind
pity was mingled with my dislike and I grieved that a man so highly
gifted should blight so soon the anticipations of his friends. I do not
think Frances will ever marry George Greir it will be a long time before
these impressions will become less vivid and then he is so entirely different
from him who will always remain her beau ideal of perfection. This
morning we called at the bank saw cousin Harry and Beula they wished
very much to have us spend the day but we came away with a promise
of a visit tomorrow. it was excessively warm and Augustus who accompanied
us made so many stops that I was glad when we reached home
This afternoon we went out to the Spring the Dr who drove us out being
much better returned this evening with a violent h headache and fever.
I think his sickness is very much like yours of last Spring. When we
came home I found Augustus with a swollen lip Sarah in drawing him
had upset the waggon and bruised his face. Yesterday Frances Elliot
called she has just returned from New York this is the first Goshen
lady I have seen except cousins since I came only at Church.

We have just finished reading Anne of GierestienGeierstein. I do not think it as
interesting as many of his former novels. It concludes happily which you
know will cover a multitude of imperfections in my eyes. I think
the most interesting part of the book the conversations and by far
the best character the Old Earl of Oxford. The heroine is very good what
we see of her which is altogether too little. I had much rather read the
Disowened again than to read two New Novels of this description. The
description of Swiss scenery and did not answer my expectations.
Wednesday night. My Dear Henry I think by this time I must have as
many as three letters at Florida it is just a fortnight to day since
the one I recieved last was written how should you like this I was
more homesick this morning than I have been before since I left home &
all because my letters did not come. How many times I have regretted
that I did not when I first wrote from here tell you to direct your
two next letters to Goshen. It will be one consolation when I get back to
Florida I shall get my letters as soon as they arrive which is long
enough in all conscience. This afternoon before we had had time to sleep
any after dinner cousin Harry came in his little waggon for the purpose of
taking us all up there so we prepared with all possible diligence to
accompany him Mrs Tuthill cousin Mary and myself Frances is very much
averse to afternoon visits so she staid at home a vote leave the babies at
home was carried by a large majority. Augustus lip was so much
swollen this morning that I regretted very much that it was impossible
to obtain here any of Peleg White salve which is my universal remedy
it is much better this evening and his face is assuming a more natural
appearance. At three oclock we were set down in safety at the gate of
the bank found cousin Beulah in waiting and the little Henry enveloped in
his mothers entreaties to let her decorate his person with a clean ruffle.
Cousin Julia was there of couse among many other things she said that
a letter from her husband had intimated that he though it probable he should
remain until you came down which was to be somewhere about the 20^th
of August. Is it so long dearest!? My headached violently all the long
afternoon I was to ill to even enjoy playing on the piano. On account
of leaving the Dr at home sick we came home early. since which
after disposing of Augustus Frances and I have been enjoying a walk
by the light of the stars. I wish very much to have Frances go with
me when I return home but have not as yet obtained the consent of
her mother and Aunt. She appears anxious to go. I shall leave the
matter to your persuasion. Frances has told me some things about
Cornelia this afternoon which grieved me extremely. I could not have
believed that any one who had been with me as much as Cornelia
could have so entirely misconstrued my character. What Frances said
was said inadvertantly and apparently without any ill will to Cornelia
by Mrs Tuthill which I could not before comprehend. All this we
will discuss when we meet and I can enter into particulars.
I am now going to bed hoping and believing that ways and means will
be provided for the safe arrival of my letters from Florida tomorrow.

Thursday Morning. This morning my hopes were realized just as I arose from
the breakfast table George Seward presented himself and handed me three
letters two from you and one from my sister. My headache and hypo
of [ couse ] have departed. George came out to get a load of boards of General
Wickham. he says the people at Florida are all well, have accomplished the
harvesting and are expecting me home. your letters to your Ma and George
came in company with mine. It has rained most of the forenoon and
I have employed my time in reading again and again your letters to
Frances, Cousin Mary and myself. I am sorry to hear you have so many
symptoms of illness you say nothing about it after your return from
Canandagua I shall hope that you are no worse until I hear again
your last letter was dated the 15^th the day after you came home you
speak of two letters of mine did you not get one the day you went [ to ]
Ludlowville you mentioned going to the office on Sunday night but do
not tell me if you received the letter. I have always written to you every
mail except the one that I sent a letter to Grandma. of course I do not
know what that letter contained but I know it should have come the Sunday
night previous to your going to Ludlowville The first part of your letter
was written on Sunday night just after you had made an ineffectual attempt
to get into the office the last part was written on Wednesday after your return
the next letter you mention came on Friday this is in one of your letters
of to day. Bronsons chest is blue instead of green you must not make
a similar mistake in Maria's presence as it is a matter of importance,
George Woods haste to secure the last cent of the property is perfectly in chara–
cter just like the Woods. Sally Hulbert will undoubtedly marry Tom Howe
if she can get him. it took me one hour to find out the correct manner
of reading that last letter it was much more intricate than the others
Augustus all the time crying for me to wait on him I believe he is somewhat
unwell he is unusually fretful. the swelling has departed from his lip.
All send love of course. your own Frances.

William H. Seward Esq.
Auburn
Cayuga County
July