April 9, 1865 pg 6

me too much in any thing.

Really you had better not -- "varium
et mutabile semper foemina" -- and I
am no exception. Bear in mind
that "there is many a slip 'twixt the cup
and the lip", especially when the cup
is a little shy of the lip, also that
I had not faith enough in myself
to bind myself in any manner.

If my good wishes will help you
any to succeed in your undertakings
you know or ought to, that they are
yours. Your mother does not seem
very certain. She often speaks of you
but never complainingly, but she is
a person who expresses very little either
very and I am not with her enough
to understand her different moods.

I think I wrote you in my last
that I received the telegram and
expressed my thanks for the same.
I appreciate all your kind thoughtfulness
but don't know how I am ever to
repay it. You must take my will
for the deed.

Yes, I should enjoy the voyage
very much I know. The ocean is
very dear to me, I never weary of