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Dear Brother & Sister

Father arrived a week ago today and we were not sorry to see him. He says he shall stop with us but another week and I find I must make haste or I shall not have time even to thank Samuel for his gift what I have found time to read is very good - books are highly prized by me and we really need them much more here than we should if we lived where we could hear more lectures and sermons &c I have found a good deal of time the past winter to read and indeed I always take time to read a good deal  I have not access to as many books as I could wish but those who have them are very kind about lending  You were very kind in thinking of the children  I assume ? the children shall feel the benefit of your generosity  I feel very much disappointed that Emily is not coming  I need her assistance, and I long for her society but we must expect disappointments for if we never had them we should forget that "this world is not our home  Henry & Lucy intend to come next spring but I cannot help fearing they will not accomplish all they wish ere, that is, Father Theodore  Olive and I went to Stillwater last week  spent the night at Mr Boutwell, had a good visit.  We are having 'Oh such a cold spring. how hard it seems always to remember that God doeth all things well, I often feel astonished at my own ingratitude  is it not a crying sin against God?