Be careful of yourself for you know that at the time when my finger became infected, it was apparently perfectly sound, yet there must have been some point of entrance for the infection which followed. I am glad that it proved to be so slight. I have not been to see your father as I was so very busy, but I shall go there to-morrow unless the storm continues too severely. * * * * * _Roxbury, December 28, 1862._ Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I shall not tell you any more that I miss you at any time, for I don’t, not a bit. On the contrary, I am glad that you are gone. I just read this paragraph to our parlor assembly and they wanted to tear it up. Now, don’t you think that is quite a despotical sign of our regiment here? I am sure I don’t want to write anything else, for you shall not get too vain about yourself. We, that is, myself and Mrs. ---- and Miss Sprague, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Heinzen, feel quite proud of our little doctor in England, only we feel as if that little M.D. should write a little oftener. ... Mrs. W---- has a splendid little girl of nine and one-half pounds. She had a very hard time, thirty-six hours’ labor, and I finally delivered her with forceps, Miss Tyng officiating as assistant. Mother and child are doing well and send love to you. Christmas was a very pleasant day and evening with us. We had the parlors trimmed beautifully with laurel and holly, and when I came home in the evening, I covered the chandeliers with wreaths. Then we placed white cloths on the front parlor center table and on another small one, and set plates on them with German gingerbread and apples and nuts. Returning from supper, we found large baskets and bundles which Santa Claus had brought to the room and left for me to distribute. So after each one had appropriated a plate, I called out the names, and lots of handsome little things came out of the brown and white papers, by and by covering the tables completely, so that the room looked like a charming little fair, and we had ever so much fun, and many funny things, and I only wish that you had been here, too. Now, tell me how you are getting on in London, how your health is, how much you are learning and how you spent Christmas. I have been nonsensically busy, so much so that I am completely worn out, and to-day I proposed that I go to London to bring you back for the purpose of getting rested. Everything goes the same old, old way. Miss ---- is with me but she stays in the same old place and, although I like her very much, yet there is no mutual sympathy between us.