Lowell Sept 28. 1859.

 

My Dear Friend Anderson,

                                    Yours of the 4^th inst. came to me in about ten days. Some time longer than it took to carry you out there. I was very glad indeed to hear from you, and to find that you were so comfortably situated, as your letter expressed. Your next one is looked for with still greater interest as it will give the fruit of a longer experience, and a closer view of the family &c with whom your lot is for the present cast. I think that you did not see the "West", in the light of imagination, and consequently you are now not quite so much pleased with the idea of living there, as you were when here at the East we could sit down and dream of the many famous things we could do in that land flowing with milk and honey. After all we have got to break into the world somewhere and I do not think it makes much difference where we crack the shell if we put on the "needful cheek" after we get in. I have had your class book at my house three weeks. I returned it to your brother today. I kept it longer than I should had not I expected Valpey up here to spend the Sabbath with me. The week that you left this gay and bustling city, I was prostrated with a severe attack of the dysentery, and was confined / to the house four days, and who should step in on me one afternoon but Tom. I was glad to see him I assure you. He staid with me about two hours. He was very much disappointed that he did not find you here. I made him promise that he would come up here and spend the Sabbath with me. So a fortnight ago I sent him an invitation to come. He wrote me that he could not then but would last Sunday. I wrote him again, begging him to be sure and come but, he did not. What the devil has got him I can't say. I presume from his stay this way that he does not intend to go back to Cleveland.—But to return to the book. It is the most magnificent specimen of binding that I ever saw. I think that you got your money's worth. If I was in your shoes I should regard the volume as beyond all price. The letters are good, but allow me to remark that personal beauty—judging from the pictures—was not a characteristic of the class of '59 There are is no lack of sensible manly countenances but the "essence" can not be found abundant. Allis, Anderson and Boardman are the best looking in the book. "What a devil of an eye" all observers say of you, and I must say that it does look "ragther" roguish. Pretty business this criticizing you to your face. But then I must be allowed my say. Jennie was down on you for not leaving a "plate" / of yourself here for her. She borrowed mine and I did not know as I should get it back again. Abby is still here. I have not seen her yet. She will return to Chicago some time next month.

 

            There is not much worth relating that has transpired here since you left. The muster at Concord was a decided success. All Lowell save and except the subscriber went over.

 

            The cattle show came off here last week, but the "Equinoctial" set in at the same time and of the two was the most successful. I sent you the Boston Journal containing an account of the Boston celebration last Monday. Please let me know whether you received it or not, and also what newspapers you subscribe for and also whether you have an opportunity to see many or not. I can imagine no condition worse than that of being deprived of all sources of information as to what is going on in the world. I should miss the daily papers as much as my daily bread. We are all waiting with anxious expectation for the arrival of the Great Eastern. She "bust up" just a little the other day and I suppose that we shall have to wait until the first of November before she will get here. I have commenced Bancrofts History of the United States with a firm resolve to finish the same this winter, providence permitting, or to put it classically "Deo Volente". / I have already got so far in it, as to know that Ferdinand De Soto was running around in that part of the country where you are now located, and was finally buried in the middle of the Missippi, which river he discovered. So much for Buckingham.

 

            Mr. Choate's library will be sold at auction in Boston next month. I shall endeavor to be on hand. Please write me soon and also a long one. With much love I am as ever

                                                                                   

Your Sincere friend

Selwin E Bickford

 

P.S. Have you heard from Chelsea?

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