e Thursday Morning
My dear Sister
We reached this isolated
place of rocks last evening at 1/2
past 6. I might throw a dash of
umber on Fanny's pictures of
coluer de rose but it is better as
it is – we are really very comfortable
in our lodgings having many more
home comforts than are usually found
at watering places. The ocean is
hidden from our view by the houses
which intervene as we are in the
midst of a town of some 6000
inhabitants whose & fanciful, quaint
and homely habitations are all founded
on rocks. Will went to the hotel
which is on the beach– I think
Jenny would like to be there with
him or almost any where else as
to that matter. Jenny's health is in
a condition to make an anxious mother
feel serious solicitude. She coughs
much every night, has very little

strength with a constant pain in her
side & very little appetite–
Mr Mellen came with us to our lod-
going, and went with Will to the hotel.
He says you did not answer his letter
in relation to going into the practice
of the law– I am sure you told me
you did - am I mistaken? - I wish
you were here to talk with him as I know
he does– I feel that both he & Mrs
Mellen ought to be somwhere else– She
is very attracive – & is rather strikingly
fine in person and manner –a woman
to grace "society" as it is called –& yet
with heart and principles , much more
than fine women usually have– They
have been here this morning – they never
tire of talking of you and Auburn– Mrs
Mellen has an Aunt (Mrs Sumner)
visiting her which will prevent my going
there as often as I intended – and then I
suffer so much from long conversations that
I ought not to see any one that I like to
talk to– I have not told you any
thing of our journey. I will commence
[right Margin]
I did not tell you that the currant wine ought
not to be left uncorked after the brandy is put in.

another letter to day as I am too tired
to finish this now– Mr Mellen
has just come back to bring me your
letter which is very welcome–I wish
you would open all that come to
me and send them after – if from
our own people. Henry's Log book was cop-
ied by Fred which we read in Albany
and again now with much pleasure– I
have lent it to Mr Mellen to read.
I wish I could know whether there is any
probablity of Henry coming home and
then coming here for me– I rather think
not–Will says he can probably stay
until next week – perhaps I had better
return with him– I shall need more
money to come home with –and to pay
board here both–Auburn bills will not
pass here ^we exchanged what we had at Boston

x

Boston, MA

^ what is to be done in this
case? –Fanny has a swollen face which
was quite painful last night – but she is in
the water with the little Mellens to day
I wish she would come home. Tell Clara

there is no danger here, it is a harbour
there are no waves so high as those
in lake Erie – unless during a storm.
It is a very pretty sight to see the
bathers & swimmers who throng the
beach at about 11 oclock–Mrs
Mellen was bathing with her Aunt –
looked very pretty in green trousers
and and kilts with a broad straw
gypsy hat. She was not made for
a clergymans wife obviously–
I feel better as I write so I have taken an-
-other half sheet. We saw Mr and Mrs Wharton
John & the little girls at Albany– The
country between Auburn & Utica was literally
submerged - the car in some places passing
through water nearly up to the platform of
course we were obgliged to go very slowly to
avoid accidents – the rain continued
nearly all day but no violent shower –
whole gardens and cornfields were covered
with water so that only the top of the fence
was visible– I did not see Mr Schoolcraft
or Wilkeson – left Albany at 9 oclock

reached Worcester at 3 sick with headache
The next morning we drove about the beautiful
town I called a moment at on Mrs Davis
I will tell you about that when I come home
The house looked deserted without John
Davis – From Worcester we came to Boston
where we dined and came on to Gloucester
at 5 oclock. There is a succession of
small towns & villages until we get
within 6 or 7 miles of Gloucester when
the country becomes more barren &
rocky– this is said to increase to Rock-
town the project termination of the
rail road –it is only finished to this
place– This afternoon we propose to
drive to Rock town and around the
head of the peninsula which is said
to be a pleasant drive. Fanny has just
come home with her dress made into an
apron which is filled with shells & sea
-weed–She is in fine spirits and thinks
she has not taken cold though her face
is badly swollen– I shall try bathing
tomorrow if the weather moderates–
We breakfast at 1/2 past 6!! dine at 1/2 past
12 & take tea 1/2 past 5– I shall write
again soon Love to Clara –tell the dogs
we talk of them. Your own sister -