Orestes thanks Henry for his favor of the 18th. and congratulates him on being rid of his dissolute partner. He trusts that Henry is prospering. He inquires whether Henry's son Philip, now 12 is to be a scholar or a lawyer, and asks about a report he has heard about Henry's putting out a new edition of their father works, if he has the time. He warns him of the greediness of publishers. Orestes has but few of his father writings but he reads and rereads them with pleasure. He asks why his review should not be a standard work. He sends his best regards to Henry's wife and children. His own family is striving hard to make a living and improving the farm. He has lost one horse, one calf and several hogs; the season for planting is very backward though they intend to work very long and hard. The family is in good health. His eldest son John Brownson has bought 5 ¼ more acres of land, for a total of 12¼ and has had one field fenced; he hopes to be able to build a small house in the Springs, and Orestes believes that they, being thrifty can do so. They have one child less than a year old. Orestes second son Edward Brownson 18, is large and stout and too wild and unsettled to be very useful. He has already been around on the river and railroads, but is just now home, doing some fencing for his father and brother. He is a natural musician and mimic but unwilling to study to perfect himself in that line. Orestes finds it difficult to keep him from such thing and to curb his strong nature. :: III-3-a A.L.S. 2pp. 8vo.