Yours of the 11th of Sept. was gratefully received by your affectionate Sister; and your excuse at first I thought not very good, but now I think it very good, for I have been plagued very much myself. William Boyd came from Portland about a fortnight since and by him I was informed that Sister Isabella’s child was very sick and he was in doubt whether it would ever get over it. I feel for Isabella much more than I can tell you who is but just entered the bonds of Matrimony should so soon have sickness, and perhaps Death, be one of the guests of her family. I was also informed that the children had all got over the hooping cough and that Octavia was much healthier than she was before she had the small-pox. By my last letter from home Papa informed me that I might tarry all Winter and I have concluded to. I suppose you would like to know how I spend my time here. I shall answer, very well; my going abroad is chiefly in Boston, for I don’t go out much in Medford. It was vacation about a week since and I spent it in Boston very agreeably. I keep at Mr. Boyd’s when I am there, and Mrs. Little’s. I go to Boston every public day as Mr. B. is so good as to send for me. I am very fond of that family and likewise Mrs. Little’s. You speak of my writing and you think that I have improved. I am glad of it. I hope I shall make as great progress in my other studies and be an “Accomplished Miss.” Horatio do write very soon; will you? Adieu! your affectionate Sister ELIZA SOUTHGATE. Horatio Southgate. Medford, Nov. 10, 1797. You mentioned in your letter, my dear mother, that Cousin Mary informed you that I expected to go to the Ball. I did think that I should go but I altered my mind; I had 2 or 3 invitations but I would not accept of any of them. My cloak likewise you mentioned something about, which I shall attend to when I go to Boston. I expect to go to Boston at Thanksgiving, for there is a vacation of a week. I had a letter from _Horatio_ yesterday, he was well. Isabella wrote me word that my Father had got the Rheumatism very bad, which I am sorry to hear. If the wishes or prayers of Eliza would heal the wound, it would not long remain unheal’d. My love to all the children, tell them I don’t dare to tell them how much I want to see them, nor even think. My love to all that ask after me. May all the happiness that is possible for you to enjoy be experienced is the sincere wish of Your affectionate Daughter ELIZA S. Mrs. Mary Southgate. Medford, Dec. 16, 1797. My Dear Father: