p.

I both hope and fear, - for war is so horrible to me - as thou sayest -
that I would have all whom we love, exempted from a participation
in the dreadful work: I can see no glory on the battle-field, it is all
terror, anguish, bodily and mentally, and the violation of the blessed precepts
of Him who declared "My kingdom is not of this world" - else would my
disciples fight." -

We were glad to hear that dear Mary is deriving benefit from her vis-
it at the Springs near you, and wish it may continue after she returns
to her beloved family, - I am truly glad that thou canst have her companion-
ship - for it must be no small comfort, in these latter trials, - so that
amid all the discouragements which may seem to surround our path, we often
are obliged to acknowledge that there is "a silver lining to the cloud" - which
illumines the lonesome way. - I wish thy dear Ann was nearer home
the time will seem very long ere she visits you again. - We are much in-
terested in hearing of all thy family, and all that thou art disposed to
communicate rspecting their movements will always be received as
evidence of thy affection, and confidence in our love for thee. - I think
Timothy must be in a trying spot, - so near the scene of violence and
blood-shed! - it seems sometimes, as if the perpetrators of such shocking
outrages as have been committed in Missouri - could scarcely be [underline]human[/underline]
beings! - certainly not [underline]civilized[/underline], - the acts are so diabolical.

Thou asks information concerning our dear ones at Waterloo, - we
hear from them once a week, and frequently more than that, - Rowly is
quite a writer, and tho' his letters are brief generally, they serve to assure
us of their continued health and comfort - as far as they can enjoy much
separated from us all, - they have [underline]all[/underline] been very homesick, and are still
considerably affected by it, - Lloyd has suffered equally with the
rest, - unless I except dear Aggy - it has been severe upon her precious
child, - so that she proposed borrowing money of her father for her and R.

[page break]

"to come [underline]home[/underline]" - she thought if Rowly was with her, she should have no
difficulty in reaching the desired haven: it makes me sad to think of it. -
[underline]homesickness[/underline] is such a [underline]desolate[/underline] feeling! and for a child to suffer so!
Dear Ann has had "to lay a stone upon her heart", and strive to keep a
cheerful face for the sake of those so dear to her, but the trial has been a
heavy one for her, - she is so much attached to all of us, - and thinks so
fondly of her cherished home, - it has always been to her "a dearer, fairer
spot" than any other could be: in addition to her homesickness she has
had a series of trials in procuring help, - girls in that vicinity being very
scarce - at least such as are worth any thing, - a few weeks ago she had
two sent from N. York by Lloyd's sister [Nishe?], - very good ones, but one
was taken sick with Erysipelas in her legs - confined to her room for three
weeks, and in addition to waiting upon and nursing her, Ann had to do nearly
all the work which the girl had done, when well, - the other not understand-
ing how to do it, one was German, the other a Prussian widow, - the
German girl was patient and grateful for Ann's attenton to her, - [?]
down a little too soon, - brought on a second attack - not so severe as the
first, - but was so much discouraged that has decided to return to
New-York, - where there are now thousands out of regular employment
looking with fear and dismay towards the approaching winter, - which
will surely bring great want and suffering to an uncommon number.
Ann urged her to remain, but her heart is in the city, and thither she
turned her face I suppose last week. - Sister Ann is at Waterloo
and appears to feel quite at rest, - is quiet and cheerful, and the
chldren cling to her very much, - she hears Rowly and Aggy two lessons
a day, - and sometimes precious little Fanny thinks she too must
be heard: the school is so far from them, that L. and A. think it
will be better to have a teacher in the house this winter, - and sister cannot
take full charge of them, - as her health - tho' improved, - could not bear the