headache disappeared before the night of the Ball. I know of few young ladies who would be ill on such occasions. Coughs, colds & even absent friends vanish like snow when a ball is announced and tight stays, shoes and other "fal de rals" are all that is thought of, to be sure you will say that is the case with all the other young ladies but it is not so with me. I hate going to balls and dances. They are so very tiresome and stupid. However Susan I am really glad that you went and I trust you will always attend such places when it is agreeable to yourself to do so. I have found out now a wonderful secret in curing young ladies complaints which is to get up a dance or ball instead of employing useless doctors. The longer we live the more we learn. The watch guard is still in good order & the green poncho you were 4 weeks hemming is become