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The days and weeks pass on swiftly with me, in a sort of monotonous, dreamy way with little to give variety or much of yet to life, except singing, in which I really take pleasure. I have practiced so much of late that I have much improved my knowledge and skill, and my voice too somewhat. I wish you would send me the notes and words of that little Cherokee song that you know; I can sing a new tune by note readily if not quite difficult. In church we sing in Mendelssohn collection; have you seen it? I have been to three long, fashionable parties of one of which after we (we; Mr. & Mrs. H. & J) left at eleven, some black musicians came with a guitar and fiddle and most of the night was spent in dancing: this at the house where both were professors of religion, to gratify the children. Among the pleasure-loving part of community there has been a constant round of gay parties with dancing to a late hour and drinking! Some professors of religion join in such scenes; one wealthy widow who has a daughter married here- a member of the church in Middlebury Vt. has been seen dancing dressed out in lace sleeves. How interesting for an old lady! This place is lovely, flourishing and favorable for business - this State and whole region is doubtless one of the most favored sports of earth in respect to beauty of situation and natural resources, yet the society is favored by a lawless spirit, impatient of sober restraint, craving excitement a sort of unorganized amalgamation of people of various character. It will be some years before society here will rate the stable spirit of the 'East', yet it better hear than in most places at the west I am told. Tell Eliab he owes me a letter and has not written me for most a year; I would to hear from him. Isaac is a good boy to write, however busy he is punctual. Joseph has not written me lately