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ciation to be sound and correct. In my last letter I fave you a description of such a house as I would like to build upon our old place, if I was to build at all. Since then, the architects, whom I have asked for estimates of the cost of such a building have thrown a wet blanket upon my fine plan. They tell me that a house like the one, planned by me, finished in the best style, would not cost less than 8000 dollars, and perhaps over 9000. Now, that is a much greater amount that I would ever wish to expend upon a 25 feet - lot, which in itself is worth 5000 dollars. I should then prefer to sell the lot and purchase one of 50 feet width, a mile or so further North, say, in unclear street, at the terminus of the city limits, horse cars, where Mr. Jacob Rehm has built his fine residence. M. Rehm tells me that our Good ? has got a fine residence in that neighborhood which he might be willing to sell at a moderate price., he being hard up for cask - money as usual. I shall take an early opportunity to look at the house. Possibly it is built upon the same plan as our former one, in which case I would be more than half inclined to buy it on the spot. I have received two letters of Sophie lately and it pleases me greatly that she seems to enjoy herself, - a thing which I would have thought impossible in such a dreary, God. forsaken place, as Zerbst. However, I am not without hope that her present stay at Zerbst will not last quite as long as that in Chicago, and that within two years, at the latest, she will return with you to a new and cheerful home upon the shore of Lake Michigan. Trusting the you are all enjoying the best of health, I remain your affectionate Father