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Dec 8th 1863

Your very welcome note my dear friend was received with great pleasure, and strange as it may seem I was writing to you at the very time your letter must have been written. I was obliged to lay it aside for want of time to finish it, your kind interest in what concerns us is gratifying and I will answer all your enquiries [sic]. In the first place I am most thankful to have recovered my strength and health as much as I have; I did not at first feel the good effects of rest and country air, but the last month the weather has been mild and very pleasant. I go out every day and am so much better for it. We have had but three cold days and I am convinced I shall not fare as well; the cold affects my breathing and the cough I have had so long still hangs on; aggravated by cold weather; I will now answer all your questions and am gratified at your interest. In the first place I wash the breakfast things, and look generally ("after" crossed out) over the house[.] as always we have given up your little room for a bath and lo--r (?), c--t (?), which adds much to the convenience of some, Mr, Mrs, M occupy the two large rooms, Miss Hale who was with us last winter from Princeton, ( a young lady) has the 4th story back room, two Kentucky youths the front 4th, and a youth from Reading the small one, the three last named are ("attending" crossed out) students of the University Classical Department; Mr Pickett whom you may remember, Dr Maury, Mr King(engaged to Fanny Jones, Lucy Gilmers friend) and Mr England take their meals so that our house is full without the usual number. We have never had more applicants, neither has Margaret, her house is filled. There are so many southern families in the city every boarding house is full, and there is great difficulty in obtaining houses, notwithstanding so many new ones have been built in the last year or two. Then we have parted amicably with Hetty, and have in her stead Rachel; who lived with us when your Aunt Mrs Whittle was with us, and whom your Aunt thought quite a wit; she is now a steady middle aged woman. We are pleased with the change. The others are strangers except Hanah who is very competant [sic] and very wilful, Mrs Milligan came to the city a week ago, Elisabeth went to Washington (a few days ago for a week), with Mrs Murheid (?) to visit by special invitation Mrs Hammond. As she had given up all summer for me to enjoy rest and country air, it is but fair she too, should have a holiday. Helen stays at night with me. Jean has not been well since she left, I told her what you said, and asked her who you were; but her mind is so entirely gone she scarcely understands anything. AS soon as she returns, I hope to have the pleasure of calling on Mrs Miligan. I see her son quite often. He looks very well and says his father did not at first feel at home but they are all quite pleased with the change. Mrs (?) looks very much better, though she goes out very little; she seems happy to have Llara (?) with her. Her large family is so scattered. Lodivic is the only son at home. Richard comes in from the Hospital three or four times a week. Clara never looked as well since I have known her but her deafness has much increased. Ellen and she spent an evening with us last week. How much you must miss your neices [sic] and the little child, and what a comfort it is for your brother to have you with him as well as for yourself to be with him. Please present my kind regards to your brother and thank him for his remembrance; Since I wrote you last I have been to the Burd Asylum, which is all finished and furnished. I said when there I thought you would be gratified, (though a melancholy feeling I was sure would pass over all who knew that family) to look over the place as it is. The furniture ornaments and pictures are all arranged in different rooms. The tapestry covered chairs and best furniture are in the largest parlour and a large book case with the finest books are also in that room with a small case ("with" crossed out) filled with fancy articles, as well as elegant work boxes, dressing cases, toys which their children had preserved; curious things they collected abroad, a glass case on the stairway has Miss Burds favorite dog stuffed and a satin drapery across the case. Another contains Mr Burds favorite dog also stuffed, two elegant gilt(?) stands in[.?]