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pleasant for him, could I have been with him. We felt very badly when the time came for parting; Aunt Sarah & Charles kept up very good spirits until, they gave the parting word which brought tears into all eyes. Charles is young to go so far away from home and in the midst of so many temptations, but we do not fear to hurt him as he is a boy of good principles; and then he will be in Aunt Sarah's family, where he will have good influences around him. We received a letter from Aunt Sarah while she was at Panama. She writes she was seasick but a very little, Anna was sick but a few hours, David not at all, and Charles more so than either. After they had been four days out David had one of his fits, caused I suppose by the excitement. She had a very gentle mule, but Charlie's was rather obstinate, and was determined not to go unless compelled to, and for that reason he did not arrive at the other side of the Isthmus as soon as Aunt did. Now I will give you some account of her journey across the Isthmus, although it will be brief, as she did not give a very minute description, but I suppose we shall have the particulars when Charles writes which I hope will be soon. In the first place her saddle tuned, which let her gently down upon her back in a nice soft place; you must imagine as we did what that "nice soft place" was. Her saddle made sure she again mounted, and proceeded on her journey. She says if you raise your imagination to its highest pitch in regard to crossing the Isthmus, you can scarcely conceive of anything as bad- you go through rivers, over mountains, into mud holes, down steep declivities, and through narrow passes; and I think that is about as much as I should wish to go through. In some parts of her Journey she was obliged to sit astride of the mule as it would have been impossible for her to have travelled otherwise. When I think of the length of time they intend to be gone, (which is five years) I feel sad, for I think of the many changes that may take place, and the probability that we may never meet again on earth; bit it is my earnest prayer that we may have our lives & health spared to us, and that we may again be permitted to enjoy each other's society, as we have in days that are past. I have been writing all this time, and have not yet told