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 I suppose Lucy & Samuel will soon, if indeed they have not already done so, move into the Hawthorne house. When they get to housekeeping I suppose you will go and make them a nice visit. It would be hardly fair not to, and I know you would enjoy yourself there with them. You will meet Joseph there when he come back, and I am not quite sure that both of you had not better spend the Winter there. Do you not think that it would be better for him?

Joseph you know feels somewhat encouraged that he is improving at Waterford. He is certainly more pleasantly situated there than I expected. I presume the journey and the company are really beneficial to him. You seemed to think he was not? better than when he went away, because his limbs were weaker. I regarded that as favorable: the lameness in his back was "scattering" of course his limbs would be temporarily worse; Would not that be natural? It is very uncertain about my being able to go Down East this Fall. I have written to Joseph to let me know when he gets ready to go home, and if I can possibly get away I will go on there and accompany him to Portland, if I can go no further. Perhaps I can go clear home. By the way, pray do not worry about my working too hard nowadays. At present I have some of