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                                                                                                                                                              Feb 13th/14th 1846

Dear Mother and folks

                                        I have just finished a long letter

to Almeda and can only have time now to scribble a few words, but soon I mean to write a detailed account of myself: in the mean time I wish you would write to me and tell me all the daily occurrences give me an account of all your quilt and mats, the progress of children in work and study, the doings and sayings of the neighborhood and town. I heard of Lucy being at S. Greenleafs before she wrote, C Webster who is soon to be married to Thomas Smith was visiting at Feber, though she did not attend the party: W. Lownys wife is her cousin has been a famous dressmaker I have been to three parties this winter where there was playing goose and Waltzing but I dislike it think Christians cannot join in it much without enquiry to the cause of religion: in a company of professors only there would be no harm in a little of it for exercise and vanity, but it sometimes has a beneficial effect upon mind and body but if Christians join in plays it is said, and with reason, why not dance it is more refined, less noisy &c and dancing being an amusement peculiarity appropriated to the world, if professors join in it they lower their own influence and character in the eyes of the world, and open a wide door of evil; I think it your duty Lucy present some reasons and consequences of such things to N. Hill & others if you have opportunity.