cams_hparker_2311_f004_028_1

San Francisco Dec 16th 1855

My Dear Mother,

Your kind letter dated
Nov 17th I received yesterday. Was happy to
hear that you and Charles were enjoying
good health, and that Harriet was gaining
in health also. I hope she is now quite
smart, but I think she ought not to try to
attend school through the cold weather, as
I am fearful that her constitution is not
very strong, and unless she is careful now
while she is young, she never will enjoy
perfect health. Dont [Don't] you think she had better
remain at home, through the winter and study
what she can to advantage there, rather than
attempt to attend school regularly, and be
troubled every few weeks, with a sick spell
owing to her having exposed herself too much?

Tell her I think if she remains at home
through the winter, and takes care of herself,
she will be well and smart, in the spring
and be a gainer in the end. Were I unwell
I believe I should be willing to deprive myself of
some pleasures for 3 months, if by so doing I could
enjoy good health the remainder of the year