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Mount Washington Jan 7 1869

Dear & much loved Mother

I have, in imagination, seated myself this evening by your side, far away from here in my own native New England. It has been a long long time since we met, almost one whole year. I am sad this evening I know not why, but I trust that a few hours spent with you my own dear mother will cause me to be myself once more, And yet methinks it may be the harbinger of thoughts akin to those of sadness for I fain would be able to place you, dear mother, above the reach of want in any shape. I say that I am sad & yet I know not why : have you not Mother on times felt within your heart an aching void a longing after something you knew not whole? If you have you can appreciate my feelings. As I look abroad into Nature & see all her works acting in obedience to fixed laws, & all of them seemingly sending life one Universal diapason of praise to Nature's Gods I am happy; but as I turn my eyes to the moral world, & behold & contemplate the disorder and confusion which seems to reign there I am almost sickened