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remember it is my fault not hers - Aunt Mary has been to N. Hampshire for several weeks, visiting her husband's friends. She is very full of business since her return, preparing to take a visit to her daughter in Morrisville. Sis Mary is very well, indeed. I don't see why she isn't as well as ever. It is a marvel to me considering her spouse. He is not the worst man that ever was, but I shall never die of love for him. Thomas and Jane are well and happy as two turtle doves - James has been at work on a mill until such cold weather came, since which he has been at one of the three places, wherever he was most needed. He is well, so are Tim, the well-beloved and [Anne?]. The two are here alone this week. How I wish my cousin Rowland were here - I am alone in the house most of the days but I am not lonely, for with plenty of books numerous letters and a thousand pleasant memories, the time does not hang heavily.
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We have nice, cosy times over the fire in the evening when Tim generally reads aloud and I [?], which is my great delight. We are now much absorbed in Charles Read's "Foul Play." It came highly recommended from Miss Cobb and we find it all she said. She was the Vice Principal at Glenwood, and my dearest and best friend all the years I was there. She has been here a week this month, and gave me a world of comfort and happiness. I wish thee could know her, so womanly, tender and true in every situation, so just and considerate in all her judgements, she is enough to keep one's faith in human goodness, from sinking in the deepest of waters -
Mr. Ballon was here Christmas. He says he has adopted me, and indeed he seems to take a fatherly interest in me, which is good, and pleasing. He is very much broken down and is eighty at fifty eight, but he has had a life full of trouble and cares.
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Yes, my dear, we could readily understand thy feelings in regard to the Review and appreciate thy motives - and know all the time, thee has no lack of love for our darling precious mother, or for us - A short notice has appeared, in that paper - I don't know by whom written. Probably I should not think [St.?] John could write anything about her, quite, good enough. Cousin Seneca gave the benediction at the close of both sessions of Quarterly meeting - a thing I never heard in a Friend's meeting before.
We are attending a course of Lectures at Montpelier this winter, that we find very interesting. The best one I have heard yet was Col. Higginson on "[health?]". He is a beautiful speaker - in face, form delivery and matter. We hoped to hear Fred Douglass, this week but he does not come until later. I have just finished reading a Life of Mozart, by a German and liked it much. I am soon engaged with [not readable] and Perhaps." a charming book.
We are very sorry to hear of Lloyd's poor health, but hope he has recoverd by this time. I shall be very glad to hear from thee whenever thee can write to me. After Mary and the boys, thee is the nearest to mother of any one. In some respects, nearer than they for thee knew her years before they did. I wish I could hear thee talk a year about her - the precious -
With a great deal of love, "farewellie"
Anna
That word used to be our last goodnight when we
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were children and all at home.
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