So we have jumped to the end of another week.

I recvd last yours of 14th.

John is well again. I had Dr Campbell come in twice to see him. We liked the Dr very well. He is a pleasant friendly old scotch Presbyterian I [332] judge—with rather a twinkle in his eye, with the ways of an easy doctor gentleman. He was sufficiently thorough in his inquiries, approved the treatmnt in progress and added only a little pepsin and acid—and at his second visit said "you are all right—drop the velpean & keep on with the pepsin and boiled milk for a few days.”

I was so well I could not smuggle anything for myself.

I counted as much as I could on John’s apathetic habit, but after I got your approval of his transatlantic vacation I could not keep down my own excitemnt in sympathy with him. I took a day to lead him toward it and after circulating nearer and nearer, I had him lying in the prostrated back Richardson’s chair, while I hid behind my pigeon holes and writing. As if I was not thinking much about it, I observed that I had been thinking that perhaps it might do to take a trip across the Atlantic for his vacation & have a glimpse of things in Paris & London. He made no reply. Knowing that at his age such a suggestion might naturally have thrown me into a fit I peeped over my barricade and saw him looking rather cross and down hearted, reading Repton.

After a minute or two—I asked—”What would you think of it?” No reply. "John! What would you think of it?”

"I should hardly think it was worthwhile.”

And nothing more was said for twenty four hours. Then I told him that it was worthwhile and he was to go under orders as a matter of business—”All right,” and since then he has been deliberating upon it and begun reading up. He suggested that the best he could do would be to read two or three French novels just to get up his conversational French. But I put him in a course of Robinson and Alphand.

I don’t know why you suggest the London line for passage. Why not the Havre—to get up "conversational French?” (Please answer)

I don’t think he would have time for the Fields.

When are you coming home? We are doing very well.

Dr Campbell said he did not think there would be much left of John’s dyspepsia if he went to Paris & back this fall.

The Doherty’s are having a new back put in to their house. They say the rain drove in everywhere. The fault lay with the West neighbor, who refused to correct it & they will declare independence.

Is Molly rowing steadily?—