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                                                                                                                            Boston March 13th 1839

                                                                                                                 you must remember us to the folks down east

Dear Mother We received your letter of the 28, and also one before, that we have delayed answering, so as to have the more news to write. We have concluded to have Joseph W leave school, at the end of this week (i.e. the 16th) so that he can have a week or two to look round before going home. I think we ought to be thankful that he has had this opportunity; it has furnished him with more of just the right kind of mental discipline and improvement, than we should, very easily have found elsewhere. As to his entering again next fall if he should, he would have to go over the same course that he has now ? hole in paperhope he would not need then, I should think he had ought ? to work for? hole in paper Charles this summer, and then work his way and get fitted for college as well as he can, and as a way shall be opened for him. He has been a good boy and acquitted himself well, but is in danger I fear of too much self satisfaction. he ought to be one of the best scholars for he is one of the oldest, and he ought to improve his time well for he has had more opportunity of learning its value than most of our Boston boys. I feel much pleased that Isaac is making good progress in studies and think it important that he should continue them; I think he had better have the books he needs for with them, he can, and will no doubt get along some, even without a teacher. I wish he could go to Bangor to school, but his board would cost so much: I have taken up 25 dolls of the 70, and shall have to take more to fix Joseph off, and get I's books: the rest (say 25 dolls) might I suppose be taken for his board, - or we could send to Uncle Jacob, for enough to send him a quarter, & pay Almeda for J's board; if you and C think best he has as yet received nothing, and they are not as I know of, in immediate want of it, but whether they could wait till you could send it in honey, flour , it is doubtful. Whatever the conclusion is, Isaac must have books and I can get them at the antique bookstore at a lower rate than I have generally, at my bookstore, and if second hand, lower still, but you must write very particularly, the names of authors and editions, and it will be necessary for you to answer this, as quick as possible after receiving it, in order to have time before Joseph starts, we intend to have him go the first trip after we hear from you.