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London Sept 18th/ 59
My dear Father and Brothers
You will perceive by the
date of this letter that we are again in London
We arrived here from Paris on
Friday evening 17th Inst and found the letter from
Father with the brief addition from Nicholson which
he excused "on account of the hurry of business at the
time of writing" and on such conditions I am happy
to accept - I found however a sheet entirely filled
by him, dated July 5th which had been waiting for me
in London at the Lacy's Theatrical Book Store, where it
had been left by the "Post" (They leave letters here without
the "Penny") The "package" and "paper" which you say were
sent by Mr Mason, we have not received as yet, but I shall
make enquiries at the general Post Office tomorrow -
Where I hope to find other letters in waiting for us -
As the list now stands I think that
I have the advantage in numbers sent & received -
Be that as it may, I hope to have
a rapid succession of home intelligence hereafter -
I believe that I gave you all the "Items"
of our travels as far as "Geneva" - after which
we went to "Paris" the great fountain head of the
gay and fashionable World - and I must say
that I was very favorably impressed with the
prevailing cleanliness of the City - the industrious
application to the duties of each calling - the unafffected
politeness of the Citizens, and the absence of that
glaring evidence of vice, that I had been led
to expect at every turn - I have seen more of
wantonness and dissipation in our own streets
in one day than I beheld during all the time
I was there - Whatever may be the cause of this
superiority in the outward appearance of morality it
is nevertheless true - In fact I saw but little drunken
ness or even partial intoxication on the whole continent -
and yet wine and Beer was the common beverage
used by all classes - but then it was the "pure juice"
and not the mad'ning & poisonous mixtures which our
authorities at home permit the traffic of -
I have no doubt that the successful cultivation of the
vine in America will eventually produce a beneficial
change - thereby furnishing the pure juice in larger
quantities and at such cheap rates as to be within
the reach of all, and with this result the wretch
who now concocts the poisonous imitation will no
longer find it profitable - It is not my purpose now
to enter into a statistical interpretation of cause & effect
on the subject of Temperance and Indulgence, but our
own people who visit the Continent readily admit that
conviviality there is enjoyed with far greater moderation
and rationality than they are accustomed to witness
under our own system of liquor regulation -
While in Paris we occupied our
time to the best advantage and were only sorry that we could
not remain longer to give a more thorough investigation
of the accumulated objects of interest - we were sorry
also to part with Mr & Mrs Howe, after having been so
long the companions of their pleasant journeyings - They
are to remain a few weeks (some two or three they
thought) longer and then continue their travels to
other parts - We have given them an invitation to spend
Thanksgiving with us here, if they should be in the
neighborhood - as Lizzy intends baking our own sweet
meats and etcetera's for that occasion -
We are very pleasantly situated
in our old quarters at No 28 Surrey Street, Strand,
where Lizzy has her Piano to occupy her moments of
leisure and repeat the familiar melodies which you have
often listened to in our own dear cottage home - We hope
those same harmonious tones will again salute our
ears within those limits when we have united in
affectionate congratulations -
On Monday the 3d of October
I am to make my debut before a London Audience
How they will receive and understand the subject
of the opening Piece, "Nick of the Woods" remains to
be proved - Some of the English journals are disposed
to ridicule everything of American origin, & knowing
nothing of the character of the people where the plot
of the drama is laid will be likely to offer some
prejudiced expressions in their criticism - I know
none of them and have no influence to interest
their partial attention and therefore depend solely
upon my own good fortune in making a favorable
impression upon their judgments - Perhaps I should
have appeared to better advantage before a strange
audience, in another selection of Character, but as
it is not always possible to determine the wisest course
in our business arrangements, we must therefore
sustain ourselves by hopeful conjecture and with patient
firmness abide the result - I received a letter from
E L Davenport on my return here wishing me to pay
Fifty dollars for him to an agent here who is to send
him attractions in the shape of new Plays &c - He says
he will pay it to you, or to myself on my return as I desire,
I write this that you may understand the matter if I
should send him to you with the money - But I do
not wish to have you say anything to him on the
subject - until I give you such instructions, as I
may rather choose to let it stand till my return
in the event of not requiring the amount here -
He writes that he cleared something last season
under all the disadvantages and has a better
prospect before him for the future. I trust so
for he is very industrious and very deserving -
I am sorry to hear that John is
troubled with a bad cough as you have written
and hope by the time you receive this that he will
have entirely recovered - I don't think it would
have been much to his advantage if he had left
his business and gone off [concerting?] - nor do I
believe that it will result in any permanent good
to Alfreds interests - His own business must suffer
in his absence, and no avocation that is neglected
can be expected to prosper - I trust however
that he will have no occasion to regret the
experiment with the "Old Folks" abroad but hereafter
lay a foundation for some young folks at home -
By the way - while giving this advice to one almost
hopeless old Bachelor I am reminded of my
estimable friend George Darling - Tell him
to make some choice selection if only to set a
matrimonial example to two other virtuosos in
the shape of Twin Brothers - Give him mine and
Mrs Proctors best regards and say that I should be
pleased to hear from him - I almost forgot to mention
that the music came safe to hand with the enclosed letter,
I believe that I have [engrossed?] all the business
matters for the present, and as the sheet is nearly full
must come to the usual close by sending much
love to you all from Lizzy and myself - Remember
me kindly to all friends in Boston & Somerville -
and accept this from yours Affectionately as ever-
Joseph
The engraving on the sheet is a representation of the Baths of Rosenlaui where
we left our Horses before making our ascent on foot to the Rosenlaui Glacier on the
Mountain above which was the first snow-bank and Ice house that we walked upon
and [invested?] during our mountaineering aspirations -
P.S.
I have not seen or heard from
Capt Hiler as het but have sent my card
and address to the Waterloo Hotel Liverpool -
We are both well although the very changeable
weather here has given us light colds - Lizzy's health
is much improved from her trip to the continent