Library Collections: Document: Full Text


Mason Cogswell To Mary Cogswell, August 24, 1814

From: Letters By Mason Cogswell
Creator: Mason F. Cogswell (author)
Date: August 24, 1814
Publication: Father and Daughter: A Collection of Cogswell Family Letters and Diaries (1772-1830)
Publisher: American School for the Deaf
Source: Yale Medical Library


Page 1:

1  

Hartford, August 24, 1814.

2  

To Mrs. Mary A. Cogswell, Guilford.

3  

My dearest Friend,

4  

I was much gratified on the return of Mr. Jones to hear how well you have succeeded in your new establishment. I calculate that you should prove a worthy brother of that best of sisters, you must be highly gratified with his society. Indeed I think you may be materially advantageous to each other. You can repay his civilities, by your kindness to his wife, and that you know, is the best possible way of paying a debt, to a good husband. Present my respects to him, if you please, and tell him, if your modesty will permit, that I can recommend you as an excellent travailing Doctress and should Mrs. Edwards' complaints be such as are commonly benefited by salt-water, air, salt-water food, and so forth, your own experience will be of more value to her, than the advice of a dozen Doctors. Besides, having lived to long with Doctors, it is very natural to suppose that a kind of medical influence should attach itself to you and that a sort of Physical Halo, or atmosphere, should surround you wherever you go. To be serious, however, I cannot but hope that you will contribute much to the comfort of Mrs. E. and that Mrs. E. will contribute much to yours.

5  

Not a word, all this time about Elizabeth and Alice. How do the dear Children? Tell them, and yourself too, that my heart beats so hard, while thinking of you all that it almost aches. Only think of my solitary situation the day after you left us, at dinner offly Mason and Cate. I hardly knew which side of the table to approach, and indeed I could not be satisfied until Susan was called to help us. It is a little better now since Mr. Jones has got home but still it looks and feels as if it was not right.

6  

Mason remembers your permission to play with Adrian. He yesterday rode out with Mrs. Terry and dined there after his return. He says I must give his, love to Mama and Sisters and ask them if they have any more shells and crayfish for him. Catharine is as talkative and amusing as ever. Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth returned last evening. They have both grown almost fat. They saw Mary at Norwich. She is still doing remarkably well.

7  

I expect Mr. Goddard here on Tuesday to meet the Governor and Council. Mr. Colt and Mr. J. R. Woodbridge are both dead. No one remains to stop me now, unless Mrs. S. or Mrs. D. should put in their veto which I think they will not.

8  

This will be handed you by Mr. Caldwell, who will deliver you Alice's ear trumpets and the book on botany, if I can find it. Mr. Jones joins the rest in love and respects. As you say in your letter, it is ten o'clock and I can see to write no more. This you will believe from the writing.

9  

Believe me, dear Mary, most affectionately your husband,

10  

Mason P. Cogswell

[END]