BLACKWELL FAMILY
SARAH ELLEN BLACKWELL
BLACKWELL, SAMUEL C,August 11 1850
Dear Sam
Here is a pretty 
letter from Marian! I think she 
must be getting somewhat bewildered 
to be following her nose in wrong 
direction and wandering about in 
marshes and sea fogs, but she 
must be stronger than I should 
have expected after that last 
attack! I must trouble my 
banker to forward me another 
$[?].5, as I may have to go 
and look after her, if she does 
not keep well. Emily you will 
be the richest member now, for 
you are earning and I spending 
but when I've run through my 
estate I'll go to cultivating potatoes 
again with zeal. What newsthis is about Kenyon!  I hope it
is not a French marriage of
convenience, but there is such a 
difference in their age; and the
lady had a sad time making
up her mind to accept him.
But I hope it is all right,
and will write to our cousin
Marie a hearty welcome, If
you have written I hope you
have sent the letter for me
to add my part.  What a
delightful thing it is to hear
Elizabeth's voice once more.
I welcomed her letter very much
as I should have welcomed her
kissed her handwriting over &
over, & danced for joy.  I felt

as if every thing would go on well
again, now that she has taken
the managment into her own
hands.  I get on pretty well
with my painting, my health
is excellent, so do not fear
white lead any more I always
knew that was all humbug.
I've been to the opera twice
and once to the Theatre, all
in one week, and approved of
it highly.  Just see Mother
what a wicked daughter you
have, but I go to church.
usually, so you see Satan
has not gained entire possesion
of my soul yet, but will leave
to fight it out with a host
of learned divines, amid a fireof hymn books, besides I have
a slight aversion to the old
critter myself.  I mean to give
him a tremendous rap on the
head if ever I get the chance.
Emily I'm looking out for
your home letter, mind you
send us all the minutiae.
Mother dear how do the caps
hold out.  I'm afraid the
blackness of night is fast
settling down on those snowy
summits.  Springer still silent
Unnatural creature.  Emily beat
him, wont you?  Drive the dumb
spirit out of him.  Has Harry come
back yet?  I fancy I see that 
extensive row of white teeth smiling
upon me, from among the black shrubery
[*with which he has seen fit to adorn his countenance
for the last year or two.  Sam if you
dont write to me soon you shant
have Miss B-- When shall
you move a house and where?
Goodnight
Ellen*]