Egan, Father Michael De Burgo, Mount Saint Mary's Seminary, to Catherine Josephine Seton, Emmitsburg, Maryland, 1826 July 24

Egan tells Josephine he would scold her if he could, for not having written him in so long a time. He has been hoping to see her and William Seton this summer, as she promised in her last letter. William, also forgot to answer the letter he sent him at Baltimore. He still hopes they will come and visit him for a month. He hears she is not so well. He asks her to tell him that at least. He is postponing many questions, to ask of her when he sees her. He does not have sufficient health or time to write a long letter. He has attended to her first Monday of each month and hopes she has united thought of him at her communions. There is a rumor the Father John DuBois will be made a bishop. His leaving would not greatly affect the institution. Egan asks if William is promoted and how long he will remain with her. His own health is generally well but he is sick today and tomorrow. He wishes his spiritual health was as good as his corporal. Being concerned with other people's salvation he fears he neglects his own. He sometimes imagines her in the midst of the deluded rotaries of the world who seek happiness in fashions and dissipations. He realized that though obliged to mix with them she can even there gain merit thinking of the one necessary thing. He excuses himself for seeming to preach to her. He asks her and William to write him. He sends his respects to Miss Emily Harper. He did not forget her birthday, June 28. :: II-1-a A.L.S. 2pp. 8vo., 3