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Alice Cogswell To Mary Cogswell (Mother), October 28, 1829

From: Letters -- Miscellaneous Cogswell Family
Creator: Alice Cogswell (author)
Date: October 28, 1829
Publication: Father and Daughter: A Collection of Cogswell Family Letters and Diaries (1772-1830)
Publisher: American School for the Deaf
Source: Yale Medical Library


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Philadelphia

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Oct. 28, 1829

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My dearest Mother,

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As for myself I have given up the pleasure of going out with Mary and Lewis this evening. They are gone to tea ot Mrs. Johnson's who had offered an invitation to meet Mrs. Packard. I assure you, to pass my moments in writing you particularly is many times more valuable than going out, for I am not well acquainted with Mrs. Johnson and besides my limbs ache so that I cannot enjoy myself there. I will, my dear Mother, give you an account of the most delightful part of my time which I passed yesterday. It was that Miss Bradford with her mother called here yesterday while we were at the Institution to see Miss Cowgill. You know how easily Miss Bradford "stretched her limbs" and went for us but her mother waited for us. She told me that I must go with them home and sleep with her! I could hardly consent myself and should have liked to go if Mary was willing. You know her character and I consented to go. It was rather dark for us to walk without a gentleman but we had got safe at Mrs. Bradford's. To my surprise I found three gentlemen there and I was not pleased with that, for they were utter strangers to me. I know you always like to have me tell you their names, viz: -a Mr. Brooks of Washington, Mr. Barbour of Virginia and Mr. Goldsborough, a young man with whom Mary used to board at Miss Potter's. After the supper we descended to the parlour. Mr. Vincent Bradford, with Mr. Brooks left us immediately for the purpose of attending the theatre. Mr. Goldsborough and Mr. Barbour passed the part of an evening, and the former entered into conversation with me by the slate. As soon as they left us, Mr. Bradford wished me to go with him and Eliza to the Museum. It was very difficult for me to consent without Mary, for it would be best for me to accompany with later there, but Mr. B. was so urgent that it was impossible to refuse. It is easy how much delighted I was with seeing many interesting and wonderful curiosities and it was with peculiar pleasure when I saw the likenesses of Mr. Clerc and his wife and child. It was natural for my wishes to go back to Hartford. It was rather late when we returned home and I was pretty well fatigued. I forget to tell you that I was much interested in the fact that I have seen a model of the canoe by which your uncle Ledyard travelled. You have no idea that whenever I saw everything at the Museum I thought of you all and I wished I could have Elizabeth, Catherine and Mason tell me about them, but I could understand some by seeing the names on the paper. And Eliza Bradford also had boasted herself to try to make me understand what she conversed with me about them like my sisters. I believe Elizabeth was so much interested as I was in seeing a beautiful Swan. I find Mr. Bradford is reading the Life of John Ledyard and I believe, he seems much interested in your lineage.

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I have walked a great deal and tell Catherine that I remember to have her tell me I was going to see the celebrated United States Bank. Well, it is truly very grand and beautiful. When I saw it I thought of her and you know she always expresses much interest. Philadelphia is surely reckoned a beautiful city. Chestnut Street is very elegant and I wonder every day has broken in such beauty that we enjoyed our walks and I often think how good He is who bestowed upon us; many blessings.

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Last Sunday I went up to the Institution and attended divine service. As well as at Hartford Lewis was too there and preached for us. I assure you, it is far pleasanter than I expected. I love Miss Cowgill so dearly.

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We expect a mantua-maker next week. Now you I guess think of my pelisse, which will be altered and I hope it will be a good one.

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Tell Cate she must remember to write me an enormous letter by Mr. Chew as she promised and he told her, he had an plan of coming here. Is Cate as fat as she was? Is Mason a good student at the office? I wish he could first write me. I have not yet finished the ruff, for I have been much prevented, but I hope it will be done next week. Mary wishes us all to hasten to make shirts for Lewis.

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May God bless you.

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Your affectionate daughter,

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Alice Cogswell

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