Letter from Sophia Peabody Hawthorne to Rose Hawthorne Lathrop

2nd sheet real symposium. Was not that glorious? So much for St Paul's Charity - as expounded and enacted by the "heavenly Una" with "the milk white lamb" (her innocence] .. Had a letter from Dr Conrad in which he said I must take drives and ale! In the evening I was very happy in the bowels of the earth beneath the soil that had heaped over Ninevek. On Sunday Una went to church, and heard that Edward Emerson was at home and ill -- I wrote to Mr Waterstone about a home for the poor little boy and to Aunt E.P.P. And for the first time I descended the stairs on that day. On Monday it rained, and the only light we had was a letter from you, darling. I was not very well and lay abed till dinner, at times reading Ninevek. Tuesady dawned pleasantly, and Una resolved I should have my first drive. By the time she had the chaise, it clouded a little, but we went, and it was good to break bounds and

breathe fresh air. It did me good.

22nd Wednesday was the finest possible day. Una went for a buggy, and while she was gone Lily Chase and some others arrived from Lexington to see her and you. Una drove up just as they were going away. So they came in a while. Then we had a delightful elysian drive, for the air was ambrosial. We took Raphael's angel and went to Mrs Edward Hoar's with it at last. We saw Mrs Hoar, but Florence was at school. Of course I did not get out.

In the m/n, I trimmed your jacket. Oh, I called to look at Aunt Lizzie Nat on our return from Lincoln.

She could not see me enough but with only two eyes, she said.

Mr Willard sent me a present

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of some ale, which I found by that means, Una had sent for on her own account. I found also that she is to present me with these drives!! I can do nothing but submit to her divine aids. The Lord will bless her.

We were much cheered by a happy note from Julian by that evening's mail - [no?] by the bag - at last arrived- 23rd. A letter came from kind Mr Waterstone, telling about an admirable home for the boy. So he will be saved. Also a note from Mr Jeffries, saying he would come up to see the place before he advertises it. We went to drive at eleven in a wild south wind. We went over the one arched bridge and saw Anursnee, and called at the old Manse but could see no one. We met Charles Emerson, driving out his father, who looked deathly. On Saturday they telegraphed for Haven, thinking he was fatally ill. But he is revived, and as soon as Haven is married,