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Gilmans death much. he seemed in a peculiarly serious solemn frame of mind. He probably reached DuQuoin last Friday or Sat. unless something extraordinary prevented. I am glad he has gone there to have a view of knowledge of the great west but I fear he will be too much governed by the fear of spending too much money as he always has been in great matters to service as much benefit from this tour as he ought. He should have had a new suit of clothes throughout - any man of any pretentious to respectability ought to be able to be decently dressed when occasions requires even at home & away from home where external appearances is the thing one is judged by; it is in my opinion money out of pocket rather than in, to neglect to appear among men & strangers in the customary plight that others do: I fear he will be rather shabby before winter if out for however much out of the world Isaac is, he is doubtless every gentleman more or less & facilities for buying are not found there as at the east. You did not mention where & how you expect to spend the winter. We have snow now & sleighs on runners but until within a week the weather has not been cold enough to freeze. I have not heard a word from Lucy for a long time maria too owes me a letter. I am quite anxious to hear, I am very well & happy & quite busy as usual we