What do you mean by driving round "skittish" horses? You have no right to do this! Tell me just how much you are hurt. H. S. RANDALL. MR. FRY TO MR. DICKINSON. NEW YORK, January 17, 1858. MY DEAR MR. DICKINSON-Upon taking up this morning's Herald I was deeply pained to learn that by being thrown from your carriage on Friday evening you had received serious injury; and yet I am heartily rejoiced (if the despatch be correct) that your condition is not regarded as dangerous. Though not always sympathizing with your political views and feelings-as, candidly, I do not in respect to the administration of Mr. Buchanan-I am nevertheless warmly, sincerely, and devotedly your friend; and I beg you to believe that I feel most keenly every occurrence, whether of a personal or political nature, which can possibly affect you injuriously. I am in the habit of thinking and speaki g of you as I thought and spoke of Mr. Clay while he lived. He was "wounded in the house of his friends; so have you been in the house of yours. But my only object now is to express sorrow at the untoward event that has happened to you, and an ardent hope that you may be speedily restored to health and happiness. I am, my dear Mr. Dickinson, always Yours faithfully, JOHN B. FRY. DR. NILES TO MR. DICKINSON. NEW YORK, January 17, 1858. MY DEAR SIR-I have just heard with deep regret of the frightful accident which has befallen you. I trust it will not prove a serious or lasting injury. It is in accidents of this sort that the patient feels all the advantages of a previous tempe rate and regular life. As I know yours to have been so, I am in the confident hope that no traces of your misfortune will remain. Accept the expression of my deepest sympathy in your own and in the behalf of your family, and believe me Respectfully and devotedly yours, N. NILES. MR. PAINE TO MR. DICKINSON. ROCHESTER, January 21, 1858. MY DEAR SIR-Mr. Tremaine informed me last evening, that you had been recently thrown from your carriage and much injured. I soon however further learned that your injuries were not dangerous. I write merely to express my deep regret at this misfortune, and to say, that I hope you may live many years, in peace with yourself, and as the guardian of that party which has so long preserved our country as a unit and protected it from the unhallowed designs of the ambitious and wicked. May God soon restore you to your wonted health and usefulness. Sincerely yours, N. E. PAINE. MR. DICKINSON TO MR. RANDALL. BINGHAMTON, January 25, 1858. MY DEAR R.-Your note of sympathy reached me on Saturday, and, thanking you sincerely for your kindness, I hasten my answer. My horse was not "skittish," but a pet pony of my wife, yclept "Beauty," because of its character as well as its externals; but it was terribly frightened, and when such animals do cut loose, they are worse than "the wild ass's colt." I escaped a violent death by complete presence of mind, and, contrary to all theories, leaping out; which I did with such precision, that any other act or any other time would probably have been fatal. My hurts, though severe, proved to be entirely temporary. I am nearly well again, and return to my business to-day. Sincerely yours, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MR. ROGERS. ITHACA, January 28, 1858. I was MY DEAR ROGERS-I received yours as I was about leaving for the circuit here, and could not answer sooner. badly hurt; but the injuries were entirely temporary, for I left home at the end of ten days, and have just closed a two days' laborious cause without any inconvenience. The danger I escaped by the sustaining hand of Providence (which gave me such presence of mind as to seek the only chance in a hundred for escape) was fearful. My heart abounds with thankfulness that I was spared to those who are so peculiarly dependent upon my existence. I send the letter desired, and my kind regards to Mrs. Rogers. Sincerely yours, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. DICKINSON. WILLARD'S HOTEL, WASHINGTON, MY DEAR LYDIA-I was delighted last evening to receive your letter, with one from Lydia enclosed, and this morning a beautiful one from dear Mary at Cortland. I reached here Tuesday evening quite well, and was greeted with many a cordial welcome. Finding that it was levee evening, I went to the White House, and on Wednesday evening to Mrs. Floyd's reception. Yesterday all the Cabinet ladies "received," and I submitted to the infliction of going all round. I dined with Mr. Corcoran, with rather a brilliant party, at six; returned at half past nine, and went to Marshall Hoover's party, and stole away at half past eleven and returned to the hotel. All our acquaintances inquire for you, Lydia, and Mary, with much interest. I dine with the President to-day at six; Miss Lane, whom I saw at the levee and sat next at Mr. Corcoran's, sends you her kind regards, also to Mary. I have not yet reached my cause, and may not until the middle of the week. I am quite glad Mary did not come now. Washington has improved much in its externals, as you saw last spring; and its parties are far more showy and pretentious than formerly, but the gaiety is so much allied to dissipation that it is absolutely alarming. It is deplored exceedingly by the reflecting and sensible; but there is no arresting it, and no escape. What society has gained in show it has lost in heart, and is fast copying the worst forms of European extravagance. The ladies look worn and jaded; I have conversed with some who view it as I do. I would not have our darling Mary in this maelstrom of dissipation without her mother or some discreet lady friend, for any consideration I could name. I have seen nothing so well calculated to disturb and derange the rational moral sense of the young in my whole life. I shall not be able to write you often, for I am terribly run down, and you must take the will for the deed. Give much love to all, particularly Charlotte and the little boys. Very affectionately, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MARY S. DICKINSON. WASHINGTON, February 12, 1858. MY BELOVED DAUGHTER-I received your beautiful note from Cortland this morning, and was pleased with your affectionate remembrance. Washington is full to overflowing; gay, to dissipation; swollen, to extravagant dimensions; sleepy, to stupidity; and rouged, to redness. Your friends and acquaintances inquire for you cordially. I would not have you here in this intoxicating whirl of party-going for anything I could name. It has proceeded to a pass which is destructive of physical and moral health. I am glad you are at home to comfort and console your dear mother with the affectionate attentions of the only darling child left us there. The mail is about to close. In haste. Your affectionate father, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DWIGHT TO MR. DICKINSON. CLINTON, ONEIDA COUNTY, HAMILTON COLLEGE, February 26, 1858. DEAR SIR-I am instructed by the Faculty of the College to invite you to deliver the annual address before our Law Department at the ensuing commencement. The time for the delivery of the address is July 21st. I take great pleasure in communicating to you their wishes, and heartily desire that you may find it convenient to accept the invitation. The audience to be addressed is a mixed one: consisting, besides the college students and law students of the college corporation and officers, of alumni of the college and citizens of the place and towns in the vicinity. I send herewith copies of the addresses heretofore delivered. Hoping that I may hear from you favorably at an early day, with sentiments of high respect, Yours very truly, THEO. W. DWIGHT. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. COURTNEY. BINGHAMTON, March 19, 1858. MY DEAR LYDIA-I received yours yesterday, and was very much pleased to hear from you and Mary and Sam, and the rest of the children again. I have just begun to get rested from my fatiguing suit at Owego-the defence of Horton for burning a saw-mill. Commencing Monday morning at ten, I worked from eight in the morning until twelve at night on Saturday. On three former trials they twice obtained a verdict of fifteen thousand dollars |