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Dear Mother We were very glad to receive our last letter dated the 20th, the same day that Lucy's left here, which you have doubtley received [esc?] this. I think it is a fine thing for Lucy to be away in one respect at least; we get whole letters from you now. Your worrying about Joseph, we all conclude to be the consequence of your working too hard: but it seems to me you are more prone to indulge anxieties & harbour foreboding fears than you used to be; I entreat and beseech you not to feel anxious and troubled, about any of us, it is certainly the safest and happiest as well as the right way, to trust.

Joseph is well & prosperous, has considerable leisure, is I believe reading or studying law alone of course.  Eliab is well, lively and happy, He had a present from Frank, of an elegant four bladed knife, for Christmas.  

Lucy likes her boarding place, says they are as clever as 'ten thousand kernels of corn.' I guess they like her well. Mrs. T. I suspect finds her superiour in every respect to what she expected: he us quite well off; they have never kept much society, but now wish to make some display: she has just had a velvet short cloak, that cost $30; a silk dress at $.24; & a new [thibet?] dress besides: Lucy has had sewing to do for Joseph which has taken up most of her time in school: she spends neatly an hour each half day

[upside down] Joseph had a letter from Almeda a week or two since wishing more money ; she probably finds it necessary to expend more for clothing than she had expected & that will be no loss but I should suppose she would have her doctor's bill given either by himself or the friends there if Mrs Child was knowing to it I think she would pay it in moment . Lucy wrote to Isaac last week.