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                                                                                                                                     Isaac
                                                                                                                                     "Parvartin scripteo". Metaphysics. Mysteries.
                                                                                                                                      Anchor Ice.
                                                                                                                         Northfield, Sat. Eve. Feb. 24th, 1849

Dear Brother Your letter was received quite lately, I have been extremely busy lately and my correspondence is sadly behindhind, but as you are invalided and a letter may aid in consoling you, I will try to write a bit this evening. By the way your letter was strangely delayed on the road; mailed the 16th & arrived at Grouts from the West on the 23! It is sometime since I have been wanting to write to Lucy & Milo, as well as Eliab & have not got a chance yet.

In reply to your letter, I must first observe that your comparisons betray an abominable lack of correct knowledge of scripture history. It is years since I read "the connection" but I venture to affirm that Asahel, though "swift of foot as a wild roe", was not "the Son of Jesse" as you insinuate. Beware of "parvartin the scriptur." Asahel was the Son of Zeruiah, and brother of Joab & Abishai, and was smitten by Abner the son of Ner, under the fifth rib, after due warning, as he "followed hard after him", without his harness.

Secondly, that business have you to be sick, especially to have the "palsy & the rheumatism."? Moreover I do not believe in Blisters, Strychnia, Ammonia, and all that class of remedies. I should be afraid of them. I should prefer "Alterative" of quite different sort. If you have been much in habit of Cold bathing, that alone would not be the effectual thing. Change; quit that: Try copious, abundant warm bathing or hot bathing; with also free & copious evacuations, either Lobelia Emetics, or else Thorough Purgatives. MS's might say Calomel. I should prefer Rhubarb or something similar. Such is my theory. Still I do not know but I should prefer to consult & even follow prescriptions of really superior educated, scientific Physicians. There is something prevalent here. You know it was a very sickly season, every one sick. Dysentery etc. kindred diseases. These diseases left very many with sorts of Chronic Rheumatism: sciatica or something. for months many have not yet recovered from the effects, the dregs of their last summer's ills.

 Are you really acquainted with chess? Pity you had not someone to play with you.