12

Thursday evening
[Jan- Feb. 1852]

My dearly beloved child

I was glad when I found your good
husband had consented to your remaining one week longer in S_h
As much as I miss you my child I am not so selfish as to desire
you to debar yourself of one more short weeks freedom from the
cares of home duties on my account. I wish I could say we
were all well — I must plead my own violent cold as some
excuse for bad writing & the blunders I may make — Isabel is
better of her cold than when I took charge of her — but Willie
was much oppressed last night — I think I shall be obliged to give
him a small doce of oil tonight. These colds are general
their being so is I suppose the reason I have come in for a share
I actually coughed out one of the glasses of my spec's last night
& it took me a long while to fix it back again — I am glad
to say poor Alie Boyd is better than when I last wrote — but
poor little Herbert! I can do nothing that will heal his
terrible burns. Dr Wilson looked at one of them yesterday &
recommended "Turners Cerate" I will repeat this in my mem
the Dr says a burn from fire is far worse than from hot
liquids — Of course I am still deprived of her the services
of Clementine. The little Demeres have colds they have
had several doces of Physic — I do not know how you will
manage with them at Hamilton — Their Aunts are devoted
to them — I believe Rebecca intends writing to you by Wm
They will go to the Wyllys tomorrow to remain some days

I am glad to find that with the exception of Lizzie & little
Matty — the rest saved (some of them) a part or all their wardrobe
Mrs Fraser & Selina, saved every thing — Fanny only lost one dress
& her Sunday bonnet. Susan saved her under clothes but lost
her dress's — Rebecca saved some thing of every thing
belonging to her wardrobe. Mr & Mrs J Demere & 5 children
lost no clothing — Poor Lizzie lost every thing she had