Land in Lucerne or its immediate neighborhood is about one franc the square foot & there is not a great deal to be had in desirable positions The houses are very substantially built to keep out the cold, with double windows, thick walls & floors. They use stories, & as the thermometer does certainly not fall lower than in [N. York?] & there is very little wind to keep up the snow. You are never hemmed in for many hours together & I think it must be a pleasant place to winter in. Indeed if I had no ties elsewhere, I would like to settle in Switzerland. I like the country & the people & it seems to be remarkably free from vermin. I have not felt a flea since I have been here -- quite a wonder in Europe. But my paper is out & I must end my gossip. Nettie dear please accept this letter as one answer to yours. Love to all the little ones and as I should only repeat myself by writing just now to the othersof the 3 original houses I also see villas to let furnished, going up in several quarters. It is a pity that the world in general cannot enjoy the beauty of a place without injuring it!.. but one of the attractions of Swiss scenery is that it is difficult to vulgarize it, notwithstanding the constant stream of summer travel which in "the season" makes it difficult - sometimes impossible to get a room, yet the hills & the inaccessible mountains & the shortness of the summer on the heights keep back encroachment, & preserve the primitive wildness of the scene. I find that the cost of living is very much the same as in America. House rent is cheaper that is all. Everything has been gradually rising only last year we could have got board 10 or 12 fs a week cheaper than now, & when E. was here a few years ago it was vastly cheaper [*please send on its travels any part that is likely to be generally interesting*] [*Marian Blackwell*] the large amount of time & trouble you have given. You & Mr Ross will open up quite a new quarter of Somerville & I think the most pleasant one if he does not spoil his by poor houses. [*Dr Sam*] We have now been about 11 days in Lucerne, & it is time that you should all know something of our doings. Poor Kitty will not be able to contribute her share of news for some time. She seems to be suffering from an acute attack of rheumatism in the right arm & for eight days has not been able to move it & is perfectly helpless as far as taking care of herself is concerned. It is a very strange attack & if it were not that since the pain began to come on she has used her arm, & even on the morning of the day it became so severe, she did her own hair & dressed herself, we should fear that she had dislocated something in the shoulder, but as it is, it can only be set down to rheumatism, and it seems likely to be long and tedious. It necessarily confines Elizabeth very much to the house & has prevented our making anyexcursions. I am glad that we are in good air, & that it did not happen while we were in the hotel, but waited until we were in a fairly cheap & pleasant boarding house, as it is we can only take it as patiently and hopefully as possible. Lucerne is certainly a very beautiful place. The lake with its cheerful old fashioned little town at one end. Its picturesque wooden bridges, & towers & old walls crowning the hill behind are very attractive. There is no attempt at carving or fine architecture but some of the public buildings have funny little extinguisher steeples of dark red & the cathedral has two graceful slender spires The ground rises in graceful irregular slopes to finely wooded hills dotted over with white houses - Hills that in America would be considered as steep mountains above which rise the veritable mountain peaks still covered with snow which sometimes when the light strikes there glitter like silver. You cannot imagine how curious it is to see those snowy summits rising above the fresh green of the spring landscape. We were fortunate in coming early & just after a late & heavy fall of snow so as to see them in all their glory - for the Mountains around Lucerne do not rise to the level of perpetual snow - & in summer lose that peculiar character. There is something exceeding graceful & cheerful in the whole tone of the landscape - indeed as far as I can judge by what I saw in our journey here I should say that "smiling & cheerful" was the predominating character of Swiss country but then I have not seen the true "Alpine solitudes." The country chalets & barns & all the farm outhouses have such a rural unpretending air in such admirable keeping with the scenery, and the grass is beautiful - as unlike the smooth green well kept English fields as possible. It is coarse of a light green& radiant with wild flowers daisies buttercups dandelions sorrel wild carrot & numberless other flowers flourish unchecked & give beautiful & varied tints -The people dont dread them as they do in other countrys but say they improve the grass. The dandelions are really magnificent - different from any other dandelions - growing in splendid clusters, large & brilliant in colour- and giving a golden hue to some portions of the hill sides & meadows that is really a striking feature. Then the fruit trees have been in blossom. Whole orchards of pear trees as well as cherries & apples. I think we must have seen the place at its very best, and after smokey London it was like a glimpse of paradise. Water is abundant you see it pouring from fountains in all the streets for the place is still so primitive that it has not been brought into the houses & you see the women collected round the store basins in the town or wooden troughs in hollows of the hills sides where a little stream comes rushing out - filling their pails or performing small domestic ablutions of pots & pans. The water is clear & cold - the only water worth drinking that I have yet found in Europe. It is a great luxury. Our pension is on a steep hill side directly overlooking the town & has a very fine view. You get down in a few minutes but the climbing up again is rather severe tho the road is very good & winds quickly backwards & forwards so as to be as easy as possible The house is kept by a very nice family - Father Mother son & two daughters. The daughters speak English very well & the eldest who seems to take the chief management is a very intelligent pleasant woman. The table is the difficult point for me as it always is where I cannot control it at all, and I do not know how I shall be able to stand it. I am very glad that it suits Elizabeth better than it does me.The last few days have been raining & we have hardly been able to get out as the soil is clagey and does not dry quickly. Before that we had a few very pleasant days & I have already explored in several directions. The roads are very pleasant for there are few fences & they wind sociably through the grass from one farm to another - sometimes with fruit trees on either side - generally avoiding the houses a little, but coming near the large farms - and then striking off through the fields & over the hill sides to another farm. There is very little level ground & they have to wind a great deal among the swells of the ground, so that you find yourself led away in unexpected directions, & your walk is a series of surprises. I fear Lucerne will not improve in the future. It is such a favorite resort of English & Americans. There are several large new hotels built within a few years - great square buildings that do not agree with the primitive character-2 the name of Mary's friend I inquired of her as she sat in the porch if she were Mary Whiting- if she came from Kinghampton & if she knew Mrs. Alofsen & receiving satisfactory answers we forthwith commenced acquaintance - she did not look very handsome certainly as she sat in an old shawl & sunbonnet- but she had a sincere strait forward looking looking face & a pair of clear brown eyes that I liked- And now I must tell you about my room - as that occupies so important a part in my daily life - It is small about as large as our little rooms at home but squarer - The walls are of a light green garnished with pegs on which to hang dresses - I being one of the unfortunates who have no wardrobe - Behind the door is a small maple bedstead with white valance, coverlet, & linen sheets - a small table, bureau, wash stand, & two chairs to match a wooden towel horse, two dark chintz curtains - a small mirror & last but not least a cane bottom rocking chair - the floor is painted the same colour & embellished with a diminutive strip of carpet. - It has one window looking out on the strip of ground at the side of the house - and two trees - partly hide the houses near and a small Presbyterian church in close proximity. beyond the houses looms up that large hill that I spoke of which seems to give a glimpse of country but I cannot get the idea of a bundle out of my head & always want to push it aside & see what is beyond The window is low with venetians outside & opens in two like a shutter which gives a cheerful aspect to the room A large card of rules & regulations garnished the wall which I have hung behind the door for the twofold purpose of being out of the way & covering up a hole made by two broken slats in the upper part of the door which if made to admit air - I have stowed away my goods & chattels to the best advantage - pushed one trunk under the bed, laid out my desk on the table & my books on the bureau where they present quite a handsome appearance - & hung up that little picture of the children & the rabbit which I had framed before leaving Cincin, & Harry's little cast of Minerva - so that I assure you my little room has quite a home like look & I am now prepared to invite you all to make me a visit My treatment at present is very mild - Two injections a half bath - Two sitz baths & a foot bath - make up theday doing & none of the water is perfectly cold except one pail full that is thrown on me after the half bath so you see I need not be afraid - If no serious inconvenience occurs I am to continue it for a week & then report progress - I will give you the history of a day & then you will see how I spend my time - Hildi awakes me about six o clock - & I go to the bath room & take the half bath of three minutes duration which I have discribed - I dress as quickly as possible drinking meanwhile & then taking my tin cup which is invented of a curious shape & moveable handle to be put in the pocket - sally forth - I do'nt know how it is but my walking powers have entirely vanished & tis a dreadful bore to me to move - my only aim therefore is to scramble up the easiest hill I can find with the vain hope of seeing something beyond & getting a draught on invigorating air - that done I scramble down again very much relieved- that my trek is done for that time at least - I then rest alittle & when the welcome bell sounds for breakfast - proceed to the dining room - my place seems to be among the pleasantest of the party - A pleasant but rather prosaic Mrs Greene & three or four young ladies some of them married - but almost all of them pretty & lively -- one of them who is tall & pale with dark hair pleases me very much but as she has a terrible cast in her eye - I cannot for the life of me tell when she is looking my way & therefore have been afraid to bow or speak to her -- moreover she is going away to be married next week- & is jealously attended to be a rather pleasant looking young man an episcopal clergyman - who in the simplest & most amusing way possible expresses his entire devotion to her - & his profound regret at her approaching departure - I always try to exchange a few pleasant words to my neighbors at table & on the porch but I neither invite them to my room nor respond very promptly to their invitations, as I do not want to be bored with stupid company & want to have time to see who I shall really like -- so after sauntering on the piazza a little I disappear - & take refuge in my very little room fix every thing in order for in so small a space I have to be very particular & usually take a turn up & down the passage - while Mary a respectable yankee woman sweeps & does up it up for me - I then sit down quietly & read, write, or sew as the mood takes me -- it seems but a short 3 time before a knock is heard at the door & Carl [listening?] in his good natured face delivers himself as far as I have been able to comprehend after this fashion -- 'De Tuppee is now ready -- First place to de right as you took yesterday" It took me a vast amount of ineffective questionning & Carl as large an amount of fuzzy answering to understand this preamble & especially "De Tuppee" & only by actual experience have I come to understand that he informes me that it is true to take sitz bath - Thus summoned I undress envelope myself & my double gown & shawl & proceed to the bath room which is now garnished by a variety of little curtains suspended by wires & dividing the room into compartments in each of which stand a rough [brown?] tub of water - as the curtains are rather scanty the concealment they afford is doubtful & Carl who knows exactly how long each individual is expected to stay & apt to pounce in upon you when he thinks your time is out in order to fill this tub again for some other happy mortal so that your only refuge is in being [punctual?] - If you intimate to him that he had better vanish for a [farway?] space - he watches like a hungry dog outside the door & the moment you appear in he darts to seize the tub - This sitz bath time is the funnyest thing you can imagine - there you sit in your tubs enveloped in shawls & - & nothing is heard but the splashing of the water as you are expected to rub yourself during the whole operation - The first morning I was suddenly so struck with the absurdity of the whole proceeding which reminded one of our childish play of "Honey pots" that I could not refrain from a hearty laugh which produced quite a sensation - the curtains began to shake & Mary Whitney who sits in the next one - sticking her head through the curtain demanded what was the matter - I began to express how comic it seemed to me & proposed we should have our daguerrotypes taken there & then- which produced a general laugh & one old lady said "she did not see but what we looked very well indeed all covered up nicely in our double gowns & shawls - at any rate it was better than the men who all took theirs in one long room without curtains & for aught she heard any other protection" - this picture of own bathroom given with great gravity of course produced a still louder shout - & Mrs Whitney proposed that we should raise our curtains & admire each others elegant dress & attitude - but for fear that Carl might make one of his sudden forays into the room they were soon dropped & we chatted amicably without seeing one or another. After dressing I have to take another walk but as it is nowhot I now confine myself the the long piazza, which is now shady & perambulate it till nearly dinner time - meanwhile drinking violently always oppressed by the fear that I shall not be able to drink my tumblers before night - when I am tired - as the Dr says that too much exercise is as bad as too little I return to my room - & again set to work but am soon interrupted by the Dinner bell - after dinner is so hot & I feel so sleepy that it is as much as I can do to keep awake - & it is recommended that we should read but not sleep after eating - so I take up a book & put it down again - try the same experiment with my sewing - yawn - stretch - get up & walk about my room - and at last go out & get a tumbler of very cold water which makes me feel so much better that I begin to set to work at something in good earnest but before I have done more than begin behold another knock & again the admonition that "Dr Tupper is ready" - so I play the same game again - take another walk & when it gets cool sit down to read in earnest till supper - but I see that as soon as I can take long walks all my time will be occupied unless I can make use of the hours after dinner - then comes supper - then a pleasant cool hour & then Carl gives his parting knock & walks in with a polite "good evening" sets down a little foot tub & then ceremoniously wishing me "good night" vanishes then comes another little episode with my feet & after a good rubbing I descend to the piazza & again perambulate until I am quite warm when I return to my room - take a lamp & a book - get sleepy - & go to bed - a charming day is it not? but it is rather amusing on the whole - If I could only get rid of this heavy sleepy body - but wherever I go it still hangs on & weighs me down - They all tell me that when I have been here a few weeks I shall feel very differently & that when I can walk far enough to get really among the hills I shall begin to perceive their beauty - At present I feel disappointed Our table is just as good as I could wish for - In the morning - cocoa, new milk, three kinds of rye, brown flour, & white - usually good butter- and either mush, [????????], cracked wheat on some preparation of that kind - at dinner soup and meat usually very tender, two or three kinds of vegetables always including rice very well cooked - & a plain pudding or custard with hewed fruit - Yesterday we had Maccaroni pudding very good - try it- boil the Maccaroni soft with water & a little salt- then mix it like a rice pudding with milk & eggs & 4 flavor it with lemon peel - you'd be sure to like it for a change. morning - cocoa, new milk, three kinds of bread, rye, brown flour & white - usually good butter - and either mush, [?], cracked wheat or some preparation of that kind - At dinner soup meat, usually very tender - two or three kinds of vegetables always including rice very well cooked - & a plain pudding or custard with stewed fruit Yesterday we had maccaroni pudding very good - try it - boil the maccaroni soft with water & a little salt - then mix it like a rice pudding with milk & eggs & flavor it with lemon peel - you'll be sure to like it for a change - our supper is also cocoa & milk with sometimes what I call sour milk - it tastes like very good buttermilk occasionally dutch cheese on some little thing - the three kinds of bread - & new biscuits - On Sunday we are treated to a variety perhaps chicken or fish with fruit pie - & cake at night - One thing I am sorry for - they admit boarders who are not patients or in any way connected with them this makes it less agreeable to those who are bathing & walking & cannot attend so much to dress - By the way Mrs Stowe made a great mistake in saying that I should only want old wrappers - the ladies dress just as well as in any ordinary place - & from their constant undressing have a fine opportunity to display their change of raiment - They do not to be sure wear handsome silks except lawns I see on them all with collars, ribbons, breast pins under sleeves, hair neatly arranged & all the little fixings with wound in some unaccountable way contrive to make themselves look pretty - To be sure you want an old dress to wear before [?] while the dew's on the grass & on wet days - but but if I were preparing now I should provide three or four neat pretty dresses - not very handsome - but quite presentable anywhere - When I write again perhaps I shall find something to tell you about the Society - at present I am not much acquainted with (?) one having been here only 4 days - and in that time bidding(?) to (?) the character of (?) for easy (?) it seems for the girls of our family. One woman I have noticed she presented herself to be in a very forbidding manner. I was talking to (?) when a tall thin (?) & very (?) looking person came up saying she could not stay on the (?) piazza to hear that woman talk she was such an abolitionist & was for the slaves being all free & equal & she believed she was quite an (?) also - (?) she was not sure but she could not abide such talk-she said this in a most disagreeable manner & altogether shed around her a sphere so repugnant to see that I fled (?) soon & looked (?) in half afraid lest she would follow (?, & feeling as if it could (?) live another moment in the house if she staid there. But unfortunately during the (?) before mentioned she happened to (?) something of (?) (I did not know she was there or I should not have mentioned to open my (?) began to talk to me expressing her pleasure that I knew (?) whom she had seen at a (?) meeting held in her house & thought a good deal of - and upon the strength of this mutual acquaintance she paid me a visitin my room & invited me to come & see her (almost next door!) saying that she knew what it was to feel lonely on first coming to a strange place - how if there is a human being of whom I feel afraid - it is a thin sobert-looking elderly female who attends protracted meetings & talks in in a melancholy voice & regards abolitionists with unmitigated contempt - I would as soon meet a dragon in my morning walks as come in contact with such a specimen of humanity - I was seized with horror at her proposal and thanking her politely - told her that I was accustomed to being alone & liked it - If she makes any more advances, I shall certainly cut & run into the back buildng in some inaccessible room & if that does not answer I shall have to depart - I could not possibly stand it. And now to reverse the picture I must tell you that I have fairly fallen in love with the old Dr. I cannot see his bald head & thin grey hair without thinking of Father - tho' there is no other resemblance and he seems so simple, generous hearted, & kind - so anxious to promote the happiness of his patients, and the almost universal testimony is that he has not the least particle of mercenary feeling but is almost too generous - He suffered a great deal of trouble in Germany - was imprisoned seven years & a half - for attaching himself to the liberal party- & it was in his prison that he studied medicine - the bad consequences to his health have been great - he suffers from a chronic rheumatism in his head severely & indeed his whole system seems shattered - & he has not time to attend to himself - but a more serious consequence has been that disgusted with the conservatism hypocrisy, & stupidity of orthodoxy in his native country - he began to question everything in which he had been taught to believe - & became an entire sceptic. - He has no belief in a God, a life after death - or a higher state of human society - on earth- the three hang together and his scepticism does not seem to arise from an insight into the disorder & misery around him, that would be perfectly accountable to me - but he perceives the beauty of the grand laws that govern the universe - & says that if you will only forget self & look at creation as a whole it is perfect - he is satisfied & wishes - conceives of nothing higher - I happened to be sitting with my door open thinking the other morning when he passed - & he came in to ask me how I was - and looking round spied a life of Swedenborg where upon he began to attack me for admiring so mystical a writer - and my defence drew him gradually into this conversation - I presume no one else in the house know how he feels - I know that young people when they first begin really to think often cast aside all faith which has been merely hearsay to them - as a necessary preliminary to gaining a true living faith of their own - but I never happened to talk face to face with an old man who had calmly - coolly made up his mind that there was nothing to believe in - nothing to look forward to - It made me feel queer - I tried to find some point from which I could attack him - but he denied every thing - he confessed to no internal spiritual nature - he had no consciousness of any abstract ideas of perfection - which seemed to prophesy of something higher than this life tho' unsure - Justice, Truth, Goodness, Beauty - In a word - Perfection were merely abstractions of those fragmentary virtues which we saw around us - united in one whole in our imagination. They were perfectly embodied not certainly in one individual but in the race as a whole - I became quite excited plied him hard with questions - but he would admit nothing - no hope - no fear - no doubt - no longing - at last he got up saying - Ah my child, you have a great deal of dust in your eyes yet - then spying my little picture he began admiring it saying in his broken english - very pretty- very pretty - I told him that it was a picture I valued highly for it was given to by my father who was not dead - Then turning round to him I said - My father is not dead - I shall see him again - He looked steadfastly at me & said - I loved my father & Mother well - but they are dead - Then before he left the room he said "I will make you one concession - whether it be from education or what I do not know - but I sometimes think that ther may be something to come for us" - I was quite relieved to find that there was a spark of doubt left - not all a dead certainty. It will work yet - I do not beileve so good a man can live always without a happier faith - But what a quantity I have been writing - & such stuff - it seems really a shame to send you a letter about all my little affairs - & poor Elizabeth suffering - I hope you have written to beg her to try the water cure - I shall - & to ask cousins to tell us exactly how she is - Good friends in Cincinnati - I am glad that you are all well - I shall try & write to the different members as I have time - gradually - do not think that you are any of you forgotten - The budget of letters came last night it was most welcome - from Anna - Mr Elder - Ellen - Sam Harry & Emily - & a note from Elise - only think! and I was wondering if I should get a letter before I send one off & I had just been down to the post office to give my name & charge them to send my letters with the others up to the Water[?] Do write - It is so good to get letters - I am delighted that you have heard Emmerson & that Harry has had an opportunity to become acquainted with him - Have I not written bravely? If it only is not tedious but I know I like to hear every little particular -- and at any rate goes wo'[?] long have to complain of my letters being too [hrody?] -- for after I have discribed all the novelties -- I shall have but [?] to day -- I must [reserve?] my account of the charming tale I write again -- [?] -- [I?] well all of you shy -- [?] Mother dear -- Here are three kisses for you X X X again goodbye all -- Love to friends -- you know who -- Love [?] -- If Mrs. [?] is not gone give my love to her + ask her if she would write me as 1st [1850] Dear friends - I want to keep you all & especially Emily who is vegetating in the midst of even bread and Pork & therefore wants enlivening - posted up as far as possible with regard to our seeings & doings I shall therefore try & write a little every now & then as the spirit moves me - for three weeks in Jersey City have been very quiet, we really had but little to write of - Friday evening May 24th - Mr Alofsen invited us to go with him to see the Dusseldorf gallery of painting - the two hours we passed there were decidedly the pleasantest I spent in New York - The pictures are all good - not one poor one - and some of them are very fine - We noticed particularly some views of Norwegian scenery - The wild rocks, the clouds & the groups of beautiful firs gave them a very striking character. the picture of cloth weavers was very fine if I can only describe it The room was filled with groups of poor people - some going out with distressed countenances & but half filled sacks others waiting to have their work inspected - In one corner a young man is showing his parents the small amount of money he has obtained & the face of the poor old woman expresses as clearly as words could do it - "Is that all? no more for our hard weeks work? - " in another corner a man with stooping shoulders & sharp face is peering through an eye glass at a piece of linen while a thin man & boy watch him with eager hungry eyes as tho' longing & yet trembling to hear their fate - At another table a well dressed boy with an indolent goodnatured face & a segar in his hand leans on his arm watching the whole scene while a tall portly man with a proud hard face & eye glass in hand turns his head scornfully back toward the central group & indignantly rejects their work - The poor woman sick & miserable has fallen to the ground half fainting while her husband supports her & her boy looks on in sorrow - The expression of all the countenances is very fine & perfectly natural without any explanation without even knowing the name of the piece you can read clearly the whole sad history - Then there is a picture that took Ellen's fancy amazingly - It seems to be a puritan leader on horseback with a stern thin joyless face that tells of long prayers & fasting & an absence of every thing bright & cheerful attended by a stupid fellow also on horseback with a real country face & a pipe in his hand -- beside them stand two wounded cavaliers chained together & guarded - the expression of these two faces is remarkablyfine - one is tall & thin wrapped in a cloak & with his head bound up - there is a most beautiful hopeless & profound sorrow in the face - The other is shorter & richly dressed with his arm in a sling - he has a proud spirited face & looks sadly down on his dog who with his nose raised toward him looks wistfully in his face & asks in the most doglike manner to be caressed. The guard with his hand shading his face is looking out toward the sea- watching for some vessel. But I cannot cite you half of those ever that heartbreakingly admired - The largest & considered one of the best is Othello & Desdemona - It is like looking at real life Desdemona & her father sit on a sofa listening to the moor who with raised sabre is telling his wonderful tales & the page (salver in hand) stands with open eye & gaping mouth- wondering at the story- Desdemona is exceedingly beautiful both in face and figure - and all the details of the picture. The [?] in her hair, The white satin, the velvet of the sofa are most beautifully finished. - But I found one fault with it - the faces are all American The father is a southern gentleman - The daughter is a most natural & graceful belle much as you might see in any ballroom and Othello is neither more or less than an animated negro dressed in fine robes- There are three very amusing pictures of a students life The first represents the boy timid, & rather soft having [?] The good simple-hearted old father has his hand on his head & blesses him while the mother & family are grouped around. The family character is well presented they are all simple good & not very [?] In the next 2 pictures he is introduced into the presence of the proff a most august assembly - seated around a large table. Their [?] faces are admirable and there the poor boy stands the [?] [?] that ever lived. In the last he has completed his appearance at home- and what hero [?] his three years college education? There he stands with a jockey cap on his head, spurs at his heels with a swaggering attitude & a face of studied self importance, one hand on his hip, the other flourishing his whip. The simple old father has he is not much liked. They say he is so biter & satirical & that the unfair treatment he had met with has soured his temper & led him to regard himself as a martyr. Even from his warmest family he cannot bear the least opposition of opinion, & if they criticize him even so gently, instead of arguing the [?] he shrinks into himself & seems never again to open fully to them. They all lament it & contrast him unfavorably with W.H. Channing who is so willing to appreciate all that is good in others & in every way so forgetful of self. I find that in Boston he exercised the same surprising influence over his personal friends than he did in Cincinnati. They are enthusiastic about him & can find no fault. He absolutely places himself above criticism. In the aft- we want to [Cochilate?] Hall to hear him. I was much pleased but it was by no means one of his finest sermons. After the meeting, Anna Parsons came up & reintroduced herself & her mother. She is a thin, pale delicate looking person older than I expected but impresses one favorably as a person of good mind and fine character. Her mother is deaf but a gentle, amiable & very lady like woman. There we adjourned to a room where they hold their social meetings and we were introduced to a number of persons, ladies from Phila. & others whose names I do not remember. One gentleman seems to be very amiable & agreeable. Mr. Tishe, nephew of Charles Tishe of Cincin, a friend of Susan Walker & others, who has been visiting Cinci within a few months I have not been much struck with any of those I have seen they seem to be good sort of people & like them but that is all. In the evening (pray dear and then don't be shocked) we went to a sacred concert given in the hall where Mr. Parkers congregation assembles by "the Germanians" a band of every perfect instrumental performers. They gave us masses, Ave Marias, &c & closed with Martin Luthers hymns. The effect was very fine, indeed they keep admirable time & play with great expression. In the soft parts it seems like one instrument. But I must leave Ellen to go into raptures on that subject, for my head is not at present in the state to enjoy music. It gives me as much pain as pleasure, and in one of their savage bursts when Ellen turned to me absolutely laughing violently from excitement. I was ready to cry, indeed when I did get home it would come out, and I sat on the bed head & had a good hearty fit of it which did me good. I felt [?] Friday May 31st -- For this last few days I have not been able to write at all. Now I will continue my account thus: I believe I shall have to condense it. Monday last it rained so incessantly that we could not go any where. A note came from Miss Parsons, inviting us to spend the aft & evening there. So as soon as it cleared up we sallied forth right glad of a change. We headed through the common, which is like a large parkrather uncultivated with fine avenues of elm trees and in the centre a large pond & fountain. It is very lively - many persons walk about and stand round the pond where a cool air seems always blowing While the children play right merrily & sail little boats on the miniature lake - It is a delightful place in a large city - and I have fallen in love with the Elms what a graceful picturesque tree it is! — Well! vry orgin of locality - is not a large[a?/&?] [trip] Miss P Naunce of giving information not very [methodical?] - so we wandered up & down - like two cats in a strange place looking out every where for Pinckney street - & enquiring of all the irish girls = who to a man didn't know the way meanwhile a damp foggy rain which seems to be the approved atmosphere of Boston came on - I groaned for my light [silk?] dress - but on we were forced to go always about two streets off from Pinckney st but never nearer — we began to think there was magic in it - at last by the merest accident we got into it & found the house - We were cordially received & made ourselves very comfortable - Miss P - had told us the list of Mrs Parsons & family which interested me much but I can't tell it to you or I shall never have done - suffice it to say that Mrs Parsons with her unmarried daughters Anna, Hellen, Fany, Cecelia live there & let out most of the rooms - Mary Ballard & Mr Dwight to whom she is engaged form part of their circle. Mrs P is deaf - but a gentle social & lady like woman very kind Anna the eldest daughter is neither young nor handsome a sickly delicate person - but one whom I respect & like much - tho' I scarcely know how to approach her - and indeed I feel fearful - for she is peculiarly susceptible of influences & sometimes of very painful ones - from all who come near her - Helen is pretty but very nervous & neuralgic - has I should judge good sense & bright cordial temperament but now great strength of character - Fancy & Cecelia, & very handsome especially Fancy who looks to have some character but they are [going?/ [a?/&?] frolicsome - take no interest in association & dont seem to be generally liked by its friends - Mary Bullard is a very charming girl - just fitted for society - with a very fine voice The musician of the clique - & I believe she has some property Only think Hal what a chance you have lost! - The rooms were not handsomely furnished but still [in?] them & the whole party assembled there was an air of refinement - which contrasted with our two last days & made us feel quite at home - & then we were so cordially welcomed - we laughed & chatted 2 discussed & amused ourselves over John Allen & indeed I am afraid we went to the verge of scandal - then sat around a social tea table & cut very nice thin brown bread & butter & drank cocoa After tea we formed a social circle in the middle of the [room?] - Mrs Harrison & Miss Hadree form Phila came in & Anna Parson sitting on the floor in the midst of us - read a letter from Mr [Elder?/ with whom they are well acquainted i= it was of course very amusing & produced a good deal of merriment Late in the evening the gentlemen came in from a business meetingwe went home - In the aft we attended a business meeting of the Associationists in their room at Broomfield st — the number was small - very few strangers present - The New York people do not seem to feel sufficeint interest to join them - mr C told me on the journey that he thought the American union as an outward organization was dead - but the the world had taken the principle of association out of there hands and it was bound to go forward — he thought that many others agreed with him. — but to return to this meeting — it interested me very much - They discussed the question of dissolving the union & came to the conclusion - unanimously that it was better to uphold it - both as a rallying point for all interested in the object — and that they might be ready to act if any occasion for active measures should arrive — they also spoke truly - if the encouragement that personal sympathy = and occasional meeting face to face gives - then as to the action for the ensuing year - they agreed that they would try to raise - even if it took ten years to do it - $50 000 - to be invested in the North American [phalony?] and devoted to building a boarding house & otherwise improving it. There was much discussion in passing this resolution - tho' all agreed in the advantage of sustaining the UA - it was finally left in the hands of a committee of 7 - who are to manage the whole affair, apply it to what purpose they deem best - arrange every thing connected with the subscriptions -- as to whether it shall us a loan -- a gift -- as an investment of [?] in the stock of the Phalanx -- with this limitation that to to many shall not be invalid until [?] have lapsed $30 out of the 50,000. and a committee was appointed to make an annual report -- (to be prepared with great care and alterations) of the progress of socialism throughout the world -- I [?]I think a most admirable idea. It is just what we want. Mr. Dwight proposed a resolution which was adopted that the union were prepared to say decidedly that differences of speculative beleif were not sufficient to impair their fullness of coperation in the great work to which they were all pledged. — There was a fine spirit among those that tho' their members were small - some of their [Jeverment?] friends took little active interest in them -- and they had failed in almost all their active attempts -- that they would not be discouraged but stand by each other - and wait for a time that sooner or later would surely come when some important out ward action would open for them - The public meeting on Thursday evening was very small - a mere handful - & Mr Channing the only good speaker - I sat there & thought is it possible that this is the grand annual meeting of which Emily & I have often speculated - I have many other things to say - which I will commence on a new sheet & send in a few days - I do not know whether all these little particulars will be interesting - I hope so much love to each & all - the sea air of [?] has made me feel a little better - Dear [Jany?] please dont forget to send that Remittance immediately $25 I can write less hurredly when I am settled in Brattleboro Marian 2 some surprises - & said I ad just come from the direction of Brattle it was two or three miles behind me - I had actually been walking on perseveringly in the wring direction - I groaned in spirit - but submitting to necessity turned round & travelled back but it seemed intolerably long- & could'nt remember having passed any object I saw - & began to think I was bewitched - so i stopped to question a respectable old lady & gent in a buggy who were giving their horse a drink evidently on their way to church They looked at me as tho' they thought I must be a very wicked person to be wandering about this was on a sunday morning & indeed I began to think so my self - I was hot & tired & draggled & disreputable looking & moreover very empty for I had had no breakfast - & they looked so cool - & so grave & so comfortable - however they condescended to direct me on my way & at last I reached home - at nearly [10?] o clock perfectly bewildered as to where I had been or how I continued to get wrong - when I know I turned in the right direction - some day I will try to clear up the mystery - such little adventures as these are all that break the monotony of life - one day us just like another - so that we have to inquire often whether it is wednesday or thursday but for my comfort I find that almost all except the new comers feel bright & gay - so I presume our turn will come - last night I went up to Mr Channings & found them sitting out in the moonlight - now I must tell you something of the family - It consists of Mrs C a good deal of a talker - kind & friendly [?] with a something of propriety (I can find no other name for it) which is very becoming in a person of her age - her daughter Lucy - not handsome or prepossessing at first - but lively spirited & a great talker - another daughter Susan - Mrs Higinson - with rather a heavy figure & face - but a pleasant smile & a pair of very pleasant brown eyes - I like her very much - she is intelligent & very amiable - she has really urged me to borrow her watch finding that it was inconvenient to be without which I think is a real proof of kindness but I have positively declined - as I cannot venture on the responsibility of borrowing a handsome gold watch. -- I have been enquiring 'round & find that there are three watch makers - & a number of old watches - and I think that if I find it necessary I can get one that will keep good time for about five dollars I was offered one for two but he would'nt warrent it [*letters from the west are very welcome*] 3. the husband Dr Higinson is a very quiet pleasant looking man of whom I can say nothing for I have not exchanged six words with him — Two daughters just growing up sensible & rather good looking — but not yet graceful & a cousin Barbara Channing (Ellery's sister) on a visit to them — very plain I thought her at first but she seems remarkably amiable — I am really indebted to her for many little kindnesses — she has called on me two or three times — gone out walking with me — & when she found I had been sick brought me flowers & a book & begged me to send if I wanted company — a little kindness is really very refreshing when you are not well & away from home — Their house is in the village — not as I supposed in the country — but in the houses — then is a pretty lawn at the side & in front & they over look the valley with the river & mountains beyond I have spent an evening there two or three times — & find them very friendly & agreeable — but you know it is difficult for me to make friends — I wish I could alter my nature in that respect — Now all these ladies around me I am on pleasant speaking terms with them — Not a day passes that I dont exchange a few friendly words with most of them — but that is all. I can get no farther — They rather like me I believe — but look upon me as a very unsocial being & hard to get acquainted with — Last week I delivered the letters that Mrs. Peabody gave me to her sister Mrs Tyler — she is something like her sister but a much more cheerful gentle looking old lady — she lives with a married daughter & her children — & one unmarried daughter Amelia who appearance I rather liked — they do not seem to be rich & their house is small but they gave me a very cordial invitation to come & see them & I think I shall — Now I must tell you a little story about Miss Barrell — Mr Emmerson who saw Carlyle when in England — Miss B— was shocked at somethings in Carlyles Cromwale — & sent [?] a letter expressing her opinion — Carlyle indignant at the interference & not I imagined having a very high idea of womens sent her a very rough & savage answer — in reply she wrote him a letter so very beautiful that he was perfectly subdued by it & thought that a woman who could thus return good for evil must be a most charming creature — One day he showed the letter to Robert [R?oar?ing] telling him all the circumstances, & the [Pos?] was so touched that he determined forth with to get acquainted with her - but this [?] was difficult to do for she was an invalid & lame dropped his newspaper & gages at him with perfect amazement The elder sisters face & admirable she looks half perplexed half amused —— The baby is frightened & begins to cry & her little brother standing bold upright looks up at him with wondering face and evidently thinks it the best thing he has seen for many a day — I could tell you much more about the pictures but I fear you will be tired of hearing. On Saturday morning we went up to Canal St to take the car for Boston — Ellen told you I believe that at the last moment she had concluded to go too — I hardly know whether to expect Mr Channing — as he had written me from [?Kondoup] that business prevented him from staying Friday aft — & he might be delayed — But as we stood there with Mr. Alofsun — I looked up a beheld just before me a tall thin dark figure in a certain blue cloak that seemed quite familiar — to me — & moreover — the figure seemed to be waiting for me to recognise him. So with a start I looked up & beheld Mr H Channing — His smile put all clouds to flight for it was the same as of old — We had a very pleasant time — He was in better spirits than I expected and I determined to put him at ease if possible by being easy myself a taking it for granted that he was perfectly friendly & cordial so we got along admirably — sometimes talking & laughing — sometimes reading & occasionally I believe doing a little sleeping — for he said he had had but little sleep the night before — he was very entertaining & really has a fine talent for conversation — He seems to be quite relieved at having given up the paper — said he was taken sick within a short time after he commenced it, and has not been well since — but now he feels better He wishes to be more with his children then he has been able to be, & superintend their education — & his paper on that account proved a source of vexation to him — He had made arrangements that Mrs. C— & the children should spend the winter & New Year with him — when her father was taken very sick — & all the winter she was forced to stay at Rondout & nurse him. The father is now dead whether he has left any money to his daughter I do not know — I hope it may be so — We passed through Hartford & New Haven. — the later is prettily situated but I did not see any thing very striking — about five o'clock we reached Boston — and proceeded at once to Miss Peabody's house — for Anna Parsons had written me a pleasant letter — saying that it was impossible for them to receive me but that she had secured a room at Miss P's— The house does not present many signs of wealth either inside or out and commands a view across a very narrow street of some melancholy stables — moreover the weather was very dull — & it has been raining almost incessantly every since — Ellen who has rather a taste for oriental splendor - became low spirited & felt inclined to get back into the cars & return to New York - But I began to breathe freely for I thought I perceived "a sphere" rather agreeable than many I have been doomed to exist in — Mr. C - on the way - had prepared us for what we might expect in Mrs P - he said "you must not be frightened at rough manners - or a cap ary or hair not so smooth as might be - but if you can get beyond that she is an angel, and I sometimes think how people will wonder when they see her in the other world with her wings on". She met us at the door - a short dumpy fair complexioned lady with gray hair - certainly none of the smoothest but a face expressive of a bright cheerful temperament - & much intelligence - The roughness began to show itself pretty soon - I caught from the parlour a confused sound apparently a fuss with the cabman about my two trunks & darting into the hall was saluted with a gruff enquiry as to whether I should use them while in Boston - but having settled the matter one poor trunk was stowed away unceremoniously on end in one corner & the other conveyed to a room in the uttermost parts of - not the earth but the sky as it seemed to me for we wandered up & up & up & the stairs grew narrower & narrower till we came to a pretty comfortable room looking out on brick houses & court yards with a sprinkling of green trees to save it from utter desolation - And now she began to be pleasant & sociable - she lives with a mother now in the country a father as gruff as a bear but I believe not ill tempered & a queer looking brother who scarcely ever makes his appearance One gentleman boards with her - a quiet polite invalid - who troubles nobody - She has upstairs a book store & circulating library an agency for the sale of homeopathic medicines, & another for artists materials - and in this way alone I understand they contrive to support themselves - she seems to be universally known & respected - one of her sisters has married Horace Mann the other Hawthorne - Sunday morning we went to [hear?] Parker - he is very different from what I expected - A quiet subdued man with spectacles a bald forehead & a gentle reverential voice - He said one or two striking things, but on the whole did not answer my expectations - Ellen however was very much pleased I find that among the set that I have become acquainted with [*1850*] Dear friend, If this should prove a short letter you must yet receive it as the best I have to give, for I do not think I can write very much, I find it makes my head ache , & besides the Dr does not approve of it, or indeed of any thing that keeps us alone in our own rooms - He is always preaching - "be gay! be gay.' dont shut yourself up like a nun". And as I wish to give the water cure every chance I try to follow his precepts - I do not know what will eventually result from this treatment but I find that at present I am most dreadfully lazy - subject as I have always been to attacks of this kind I dont think I was ever so entirely possessed by the feeling - It is not only too much trouble to open my mouth and make myself agreeable but I can scarcely rouse spirit enough to brush my hair when it is rough , or walk down to my meals - I wish I could say that I am better than when I came here, but the fact is that I am hardly as well as when I was in Boston, I have a good deal of pain still, & am obliged by the Drs orders to restrict myself entirely to a bread & milk diet - I have felt much discouraged & as tho' I never should get well. It seems strange that for four weeks I have been taking baths walking out three or four times a day, & drinking quantities of water without any perceptible effect I cannot understand it. I should have thought something would have happened - but I am getting used to it & go through the whole routine as if in a dream - But I am determined to give the water cure a fair trial so as to feel sure of what it can or cannot do for me - And indeed tho' I have sometimes been quite out of spirits at its slowness of operation - I ought to feel it some gain that I am not worse, for the last two or three summers have been so trying to me, that I felt as if I could not live through another in Cincinnati - I therefore mean to persevere, be as cheerful as possible, & perhaps when I next write I may be able to give encouraging tidings. My life here has so little incident that I have not much to say the principal event is the coming of the letters from Boston or New York morning & evening At such times every one brightens up & looks out eagerly for expected news - but a stage too rolls along in this direction & stops before the door as is the case almost every day now - all the lazy ones are on the alert to watch the new arrivals, count the number of the trunks, and look out for any children or nursemaids who are not allowed to enter the establishment, but must board out at some of the houses round. At present they are getting up a little excitement about the 4th of July subscriptions have been raised, & they are going to have a band of music and oration & in the evening a dance & refreshments in the dining hall - The number of patients is increasing fast & upon the principle of "the more the merrier" which has some truth - they will get up some additional excitementThere are some pleasant people here - tho' none that particularly interest me - the lady with "the refined profile" attracts me most but she keeps very much aloof, and I find is considered very proud They are all very friendly to me & I believe like me tho' they regard me as rather unsociable - for about a week there has been an elderly lady rather queer & English looking but with a pleasant countenance & thoroughly respectable in appearance - she is a friend of Ms Channings - Mrs. Comodon Stewart--Mrs C. Says she is highly educated, talented & very amiable but inordinately vain -- I have not been able to find out any of these qualities but merely that she is pleasant--& inteligent & seems to like me We have agreed to take the daily tribune together--but I find that she doesn't like the paper very much--is a profound admirer of Webster & thinks the abolition of slavery impossible & in the present state of things undesirable & absurd--after that confession of faith I do not feel quite as much at my ease with her--for I am sure our opinions will constantly clash-- still I like her because she is odd & that is quite refreshing sometimes. I have found out a very pleasant walk which I often take at 11 o clock It is called the "aqueduct walk"--You wind along a narrow path and through a wood on the side of a rising ground--It is perfectly quiet & agreeable unless you chance to come upon a toad or a snake or an old horse with a long stick of wood attached to his leg who has a stupid propensity for standing in the middle of the path & looking at you--Then you cross a rocky field where the bull frog make dismal music in a pond close by - but where also - wild strawberries grow & the laurel with its glossy leaves & magnificent wax like bunches of flowers--There having provided myself with a stout log I drive away three or four cows that guard the entrance to another wood & walk on till I come to a spring & a rustic seat on which I sit & drink at my leisure--Having walked about a mile & a half there is a little shanty with a wooden bridge to cross a steep place & a tiny stream of water issuing from the boarded side of the house which bears the imposing name of an aqueduct--There I sit on some steps & enjoy the sunshine & the sound of the water running down the rocks-- below is a road that winds along the side of a small river --which must have been very picturesque before its waters were turned aside to supply force for a mill which stands beside it surrounded with heaps of sawdust & hewn logs--behind it rise wooded heights that can scarcely be called hills--and there is a little stream of water dammed up which when it is full flashes in the sun--& a little boat rowed by a man & a boy who choose that time of day for their amusement and my edification--Having enjoyed this view for a time I climb another steep place to "the Eagles nest" a small thatched summer house where the wind blows pleasantly & you can sit &read as I do sometimes unless some idle boys or a german with his cigar comes to disturb my peace--I have spent one or two pleasant half hours there & if I can only get well shall enjoy it very much-- Now I must tell you a drole little adventure we had some time ago--I was sitting up rather late one night--almost all the ladies had retired - when I became aware of a loud knocking that had been going on for some time without my paying attention to it--first at the side door & then at the front Presently I have Mrs Harrison's voice in the hall shouting in great distress Marc! Hilda! Amelia! Carl! Does nobody hear the knocking-- I slipped on my shawl & ran out at once She was in her night dress afraid to go down--yet alarmed thinking it must be her nurse come to tell her that one of the children was sick--seeing that no one seemed forthcoming I ran down to the door & was joined at the [xxx?] by Mary Whitney from below in great astonishment at the uproar & as we were going to enquire what could be the matter we saw a frightful mans head peering at us through the glass--the lady at the head of the stairs screamed to us not to open the door as we held a parley from within & demanded who was there-- an unintelligible voice shouted something in an indignant tone -- to be quite sure we again asked the name--when he spelt out quite disturbingly a whole rigmarole of which I could only understand the name of Jabey--Supposing it to be one of the boarders belated we opened the door & saw a very peculiar looking man who seemed determined to affect his entrance--but we kept possession of the door & again asked him what he wanted--he said he was a stranger in the place & looking for a friend who resided at Methodist ministers--Miss Whiting said that it was the hydropathic establishment--"The what?" exclaimed he with a look of such astonishment that she could not keep from laughing but told him again where upon he began to laugh in a most disagreeable manner & said he had a disease & he should like to be cured too, & then thrusting in a frightful looking [?] without a rim said he would give up that if we would cure him--I thought this scene was beginning to be too absurd--& moreover felt a little alarmed as the mans manner was very singular & all the male faction of the establishment sleep in the next house --so I told him we could not aid him in in finding his friend as gravely as possible & hinted to him by strenuous pushes at the door that he had better depart so after a few slight counter pushed he allowed us to close & lock it--& then peering at us through the window made grimaces that looked quite fiendish -- we did not like this adventure at all & still less when next day some men came to enquire if we had seen any thing of a crazy man who had escaped from the asylum & went about asking for the methodist minister--He was soon captured & conveyed home by four men--struggling violently I found afterwards that there is a large insane hospital at the other end of the village & commanding a fine view of a distant range of hills--but I never venture to walk in that direction as some of the patients are allowed to go free-- I have found out one place on the road leading through the upper part of the town where there is a beautiful view -- or rather three at once--Just before you in the distance the hills rise beautifully One of them quite abrupt & picturesque with a foreground of fields & farm house with the white road winding between to your right between two finely wooded ridges of high groundrises another group of hills with a few white houses clustered around the base-- & to your left the road has suddenly caved in & slopes down to the valley with oak & elm & fir trees rising gracefully on the other side In the hollows below runs the little river & the road & the woods through which the aqueduct walk is cut with the scattered village bounded by the mountain & the valley is surrounded by by low irregular wooded hills forming an amphitheatre around it--while far in the distance you see the blue peaks of some mountains--I seated myself at the edge of this steep bank one morning to enjoy the view which I saw for the first time & admire the new profound stilness of that very early hour when I heard slow footsteps coming along the path & the thought suddenly flashed across my mind suppose that crazy man should come along how easily he might pitch me over--I began to feel nervous yet ashamed of my self I sat listening and hoping that the footsteps would pass on--they came nearer & nearer & just as I hoped they had passed me they suddenly stopped & a singular voice close behind me said very slowly with a true yankee twang-- Well now! If I was you I wouldn't venture so near to that ere [?] gully -- I wouldn't sit there I know-- Oh good heavens! if the man had only known what a start he gave me! 'twas almost worse than pitching me down the bank--however I thanked him for his advise & after he was fairly out of the way departed from my dangerous position--Dear people in Cincinnati-- don't pray take the cholera now that I am out of the way & cant nurse you--I see by the papers that there have been several cases but I hope it may not prove an epidemic--Every week I intend fully to write notes to several of you individually but when I commence on my letters they spin out to such a length that I have no time for any thing more & have to hurry them to be in time for the post but have patience--I will write one of these days--Meanwhile I think of you all often--both the home folks, & my few friends July 4th oh glorious day of independence of ba[n?]gs & crackers for the last 48 hours they have been startling my ears & whipping at my feet--& last night there was a perfect rain storm of them with cannon & the clatter of tin pans & all sorts of dreadful things my head aches yet at the recolection--Today the water entirely have been having a grand time--An oration in the saloons with a band of music & the reading of the declaration--the oration was really quite amusing--Now we have just risen from a grand dinner & desert with all sorts of indigestible substances (I dined upon bread & viable very much to my own satisfaction) we had toasts without number & speeches-- & people seemed to make themselves very merry--I am now going to sleep that I may be ready for the ball this evening, -- in which I intend to figure in my black dress fixed up a little --and a grand pink cap made for the occasion by a Battleboro milliner after the pattern of one of Mrs. Stewarts very cheap & I think quite pretty--.what any amount of gossip I write to you tis the Drs fault--he will insist on it that I shall be idle & silly -- & I (*will as if I were becoming so with a very excuse -- Adieu -- Marian)