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24 place - yet it must be a very cold place in the winter as there is no timber land to break off the cold winds which sweep over the vast prairies that extend as far almost as the eye can reach - at 2½ Oclock P.M. started for Burlington not expecting to get through "but we did though" - the road from Mendota runs through a great diversity country - through Prairies, and deep cuts over Hills deep ravines high precipices &c - here and there a little Settlement of a house or two destined no doubt at some day to be great cities - and some larger, fine looking Villages of older growth - - after rather a tedious ride we reached Burlington at 9½ O'clock in the evening - not expecting a train there were no carriages at the Depot and we were compelled to walk over on the ice which was rather a cold job however we got across and stopped at the Wightman House where I got a good bed, "a luxury indeed". -

Friday Feby 1st

    got up at 7 oclock - looked across the street and almost opposite I saw the sign of my friend R. S. Adams - after breakfast went over to his Store and found him and his son. after the normal salutations we had a glorious chat. - Mr. A. took me to his nephew who keeps a few boarders and found accommodations - took dinner - went back to the Store again - had an introduction to several gentlemen one from St. Louis a Mr. Davenport formerly of Hopkinton Mass. who very kindly invited me to call on him if I came to St. Louis. - another Mr Green of the firm of Green Thomas & Co. Bankers, also a Doctor Barrett and others too numerous to mention - it is so cold that I cannot look about much today - "Goodness gracious" if my seat at the  table is not directly opposite two "School Marms" [?] ahead - only wait and get an introduction and then"go it" - Mr. Robinson my boarding master seems to be a very nice man. he is from the state of Maine - has been here something over one year. likes very well - does not wish to go back again - so much for the day -