Letters of Rev. John W. Alvord

Peterhoff June 20. 1851

My Dear Myrtilla

As the steamer goes tomorrow I must dispatch a line of love to my dearest friend—I am now at this place preparing to leave. The ship is to sail in a day or two. I have enjoyed much in St. Petersburg & my health is better than when I came ashore. I have some head ache when I attempt to read or write & sometimes when I become more weary than I ought by looking about. I have concluded not to go in the ship beyond Elsinore, as the rough sea makes my head so much worse. From thence my present plan is to cut off a part of the route on the continent so that none of my friends willl say that I am imprudent. You will therefore write me at Paris only—& thence at London & Liverpool as agreed upon. I say this because it is so uncertain how far I may venture into Germany in that direction. Write to Paris care of Rev. Louis Bridell so that I can receive it by 1st of August. Do not think by this that I am not enjoying my journey -- or that my health is not as good as possible whatever more pleasures I may sacrifice.