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expected to be here early in November. By, or at, their arrival, too, it will probably be decided whether the Road, or any part of it is to be put under contract at once. I shall then be favored with an opportunity to decide whether I will remain in Illinois upon this Road; and if I stay, shall be able to learn where, in what part of the State at least, and in what capacity. All of which matters you may expect to learn as soon thereafter as letters can go. I have been at Church today, but cannot say that I like the preaching much. There are two Churches here. Methodist & Baptist, no Presbyterians I believe in the county. The preaching at both is very poor, besides being only occasional; the preachers of both are uneducated and very ignorant. However I suppose they are better than none, and try to be thankful You enquire for the "Nree? Spring" & "Messeng? They are very rarely seen here. The Methodist Religious Papers have the most circulation here. I agree with your father in being interested in Minnesota. I have many friends there ; and moreover prefer to Southern Illinois, any place farther North and settled by Eastern people. There is indeed field enough for effort here but the material seems decidedly poor to a New Englander. You speak of the Cholera. I have had very little thought of it, ? not think it to be feared by steady temperate men, and especially away from Cities. You suppose me "roaming over prairies". Not now. For 60 miles, nearly, of the South part of Illinois, there are no prairies, It is all "timber." Jonesboro is some 30 miles into the timber. I was three days last week, I shall be most of this week, roaming, riding about, through timber, some hills, valleys & streams too, these are in this part of the state. I have got so as to enjoy very much the riding horseback, universal here, which was entirely new to me when I came here. But I must close. Love to Father & Mother & Jenny, and especially, Antoinette, Sincerely I. S.