(seq. 5)

the proper quantity, that she took merely enough
to produce a great nausea throughout the after-
noon and night. Early tuesday morning, the 20th
she sent me down to get a good large potion
of mother's catholican, I mean butternut physick.
This she took, before she arose. But the only
effect was to operate most powerfully as
an emetick. On rising late in the morning,
she had some omen (I cannot tell what,
mother will know) which she always has
on the morning of her confinement, which
convinced her, that the event was not
many hours distant. Unfortunately, as I
considered it then, I was to be engaged the whole
day in examining schools. The first thing
I did was to go to the Doctor's, and see,
what his engagements were for the day. He
was just preparing to go to the schools; but
said, he would not go to the upper one,
three miles distant; but would go to that
near Mr Heath's at 10 1/2, and would call
by the way to see Lucy. When we came
down to Mr Heath's district, I expected to
meet the Doctor, but he never came there

[recto]

at all. I grew very impatient. But on arriving
home at 12 1/2, I found Lucy was in so little
of a hurry, that he had gone to see a patient
in Roxbury. I accordingly dined with the Com-
mittee at Laughton's, and in the afternoon exam-
ined the lower school. By the way I called in
at Mrs Clark's, & gave her the bulletin of the
hour. She came without Lucy's knowledge
about 3 o'clock. I did not get home till
nearly 6. By that time, Lucy's pains were
regular, and had considerably increased. She would
not let me go for Mrs Walley, till 7. This
happened just right; for Mrs W. with her [illegible - whole?]
family had spent the day at Dedham. The
Dr soon came; and she contined as usual in
such cases til 10 3/4 in the evening, when
she was delivered of a fine stout daughter.
If she is dressed before I go to Boston this
morning, I shall endeavour to weigh her, and
let you know the result.

This prodigy turns out to weigh
but 9 1/4 #. I suspect Lucy intends to call her
Ferroline after our good neighbour
Mrs Walley.

We desire to be affectionately re-
membered to all our family connexions.

J & L Pierce.