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Home, Jan 24th ‘58

Dear Bob. yours of 20th, to Alice, came with hers, in yesterday’s stage – A little relaxation will not hurt your work – and a party like that at Judge Douglas' is a sort of school, any way – An easy and confident manner goes a good way in society – and one can not be either easy or confident with=out practice, and knowledge of forms and fashions –

I should not write you, to-day, were it not for letters recieved in which you are interested –

David Thomas says that he wrote to his friend E. B. Morgan, M. C. (of New York) in your behalf – He says further that “Judge Kellogg M. C. from your state is a nephew of my good wife’s, and I have some reason to think Robert will not be forgotten.” I think Kellogg’s is the District south of Lovejoy’s – the Peoria region –

B. F. Johnson also says that he has recommended you to Owen Lovejoy ^X – and I believe I gave you

[page turned] X Lovejoy is making his mark in Congress

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you a letter to him.

You should try and catch these men, at some proper time. It would be well to know them – and by carrying your letters of introduction, in your pocket, when out among them, you may find a good chance opportunity to make their acquaintance -

I write, Douglas, Trumbull and Farnsworth, to-day, on Ag'l College business – Semi-officially –

We have not had a great deal of rain, after all; and it now looks more like snow.

It strikes me that your last notion conclusion, that you shall stay till April in Washington, instead of going to Pearl River in March, is the best, and, unless you have strong reasons to act otherwise, you should be guided by Professor Baird’s opinion.

Your letters are looked for with sharp and constant expectation, – but you must not waste time in writing – better let your letters be short, than interfere with your educa=tion at Washington – It will satisfy us to hear generally what you are doing, and know that you are well –

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I am trying a hard experiment on my own health. Time out of mind, I have taken stimulants before breakfast – but for the last month or more I have given them up - without much suffering – and since the commencement of the year I have been trying to get along, most of the time, without any thing, stronger than cider or Brush’s Wine – and I suffer some, and find it hard to move myself at times – I mean to get in motion, even for a walk. – and as to work, except letter writing, there seems to be none left in me. But we shall see – My life is not without some enjoyment, and it may possibly be use=ful, in some way, - even yet. There are times when my mind operates reasonably well, – and the hours in which I suffer from pain, are few, compared with those in which I am either asleep or comfortably idle. If I could only work, I should be happy enough yet - - God prosper you my Son Old Father