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July 31st, 1853.

Neglected but not Forgotten Cousin.

Having been very busily engaged in preparing
for examination, celebrations, &c I have much to my sorrow
neglected answering your very acceptable epistle of the 16th
June, for which I hope to receive pardon, as the will
was strong enough be extreme laziness prevented the execu-
tion of it. With this bit of preamble duly registered I will
proceed to state matters and facts which though they may
not prove very interesting to you will still serve to fill
my sheet.

We had but a very short visit from your
father. I was much disappointed that he was obliged to have
so soon ...... I presumed father is with you by this time, as
the boat has arrived in which he took passage ...... What is
the matter with Charley is he so immersed in business
that he can find no time to drop me a few lines? -.
I am glad that you think ploughing "nice", for it is a very
essential labor, and one which contributes much to the prosperity
of the "agricultural" man.