[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Boston March 7 1846
Dear Jane
You are no doubt looking for another letter from me by this time - you must bear in mind that I am growing old, approaching to the period of life when the grass hopper is a bother & it is more of a task than formerly to set about a letter - though if I can only make up my mind to begin I generally make an end -
Wonderful things have happened since I wrote - Your mother has taken her last "sitting" to day, to an imminent artist - her portrait will be the size of mine & intended as a match for it - only I shall have to move into the back parlor while she will occupy the front so that we may look each other in the face - I have not seen the picture yet, as the finishing touches are not yet put on but it will be a splendid affair - she is taken with a veil over her head & a mantilla over her shoulders, just so as to hide her dazzling beauty & to show off her comely form, whether I shall allow the picture to be exhibited at the next annual exhibition of the Atheneum gallery is a matter for further consideration - The painter occupies a room belonging to Mr Wible & myself & pays so much rent per annum & two portraits - so that we can have one every year - when Marshall & Charles & their wives have had their turn - we can see how you will look on canvass -
The next marvellous thing that has occurred I hardly know how to find words to express it is nothing less than a very unexpected addition to our family circle - I little thought to have another grandchild so soon and especially one of so interesting a character - they usually come into the world helpless & crying & require much care & nursing before they are very interesting - but Madaline Scudder the daughter of Marshall & Rebecca Scudder popped upon us of a sudden with her light auburn ringlets waving to the breese & sometimes flowing over & half concealing two jet black eyes - she is already three years old and resembles her cousin Frank in sprightliness & general appearance - David Ham [?] led her to the cars this afternoon highly delighted -
Great changes have also taken place in our domestic arrangements - Our Hall is now occupied by Catherine Hamilton & Mary Smith two daughters of the General File [?] who supply the place [?] of Miss Rhoda Eveline Turner - we shall know better how we like them when we have had more experience of their quality - they seem quite pleasant - they are protestants not Irish catholics which in my present mind I could not tolerate - Evarts is a Hero - he had the tooth ache start [?] off just as I began this letter to Doc Dawes [?] & has now just returned in triumph bringing his trophy with him -
I felt sorry to perceive by your letter that you are not as contented and happy at the Seminary this term as you have heretofor been - our happiness & contentment depends no so much upon outward circumstances as upon the state of mind we indulge or cultivate - if you allow yourself to think that your condition is disagreeable or unpleasant you will be certain to find it so, but if you will endeavor to make the best of every condition & circumstance of life & feel that it is wisely redeemed [?] by a kind providence just [?] as it should be, you can never be unhappy - employ your time in storing your mind with useful knowledge & cultivating gracious affections in your heart & not suffer yourself to dwell on any thing that for the present seems unpleasant & your will soon be happy yourself & find others happy around you, then [?] your influence - If your eyes trouble you had you not better give up drawing as that is more trying to the eyes than anything else - give my regards to Miss Scott your room mate -
Yours affectionately
Charles Scudder