preparation for the approaching season, which is truly an important event in one's life. When I look so far into the future as to bid adieu to home, and leave it lonely and alone, my feelings are indescribable. How many changes in our immediate family within a very few years! We have much enjoyed the company of our Southern friends, particularly our very dear Uncle John, who, likewise, expressed his satisfaction with the connexion in sister Rachel's case, as well as ours. He visited considerably and appeared delighted with all around him; was exceedingly interested in the Meet'g, and, truly, there was more to excite interest than at any I have hitherto attended. The most conspicuous and active Friends on our side of the house were Margaret Brown and Lydia P. Mott; the latter, for beautifully correct views, elegance of expression, and dignified movementI was going to say-surpasses any woman of the age. She had much to say upon a variety of subjects; beautifully addressed parents in the middle and younger walks of life; entreating them to the instructing of their daughters in domestic affairs, considering a home education of the greatest importance; saying that every daughter should be actively employed in her father's family; share in the various kinds of labour, and be fitted for every station in life; so that, if not required to labour from necessity, by having a proper knowledge of domestic duties, she may be qualified to discharge faithfully her trust, and know what to require of those in her employ. I wish I could give it to

thee in her impressive language. She is, certainly, a very superior woman. There was some diversity of sentiment, but all ended harmoniously. Would speak at large of our proceedings, was it not concluded the fragments should be gathered, and, when done, you shall have the reading of them."

ABBY TO SARAH.

"New-York, 7th mo., 23rd, 1832.

"I am early to school, that I may offer whatso may be cheering, and relieve you, perhaps, from some anxiety. . Father informed us of the sudden departure of our worthy townsman, Andrew Cock, which circumstance has occasioned great alarm, as he was known to be a regular, temperate man. . Almost every case * amongst the respectable classes of society has been traced to some imprudence. The fourth death occurred yesterday at the corner of Broome and Eldredge; there are several families in the house, and not of the most genteel order. We have felt that our prospects were indeed gloomy for the last few days, but the report of yesterday being more favorable, bids us hope at least that circumstances may change. Father keeps admirably well, which is almost unlooked for, knowing him to be subject to alarming attacks of cholera morbus. Since Susan has been sick, I have slept in the dark room, with the door next to father's open; he wakes me regularly between three and four, and

*This was the year of the cholera.

thee would laugh to hear our luminous discourses. We sometimes make thee the subject-imagine what thee is doing, saying, how acting, etc. This morning is beautiful and we all seem cheery, save mother, who does not gain strength as fast as we should like. She has been a good deal excited with the state of things and, we think, has been exceedingly nervous."

ABBY TO SARAH.

"New-York, 9th mo., 13th, 1832. "From day to day we have been looking for a letter, but all in vain. I was weary of waiting, but could not, amid my various duties, steal a smitchett of time to snatch up the pen. Have not been the brightest the last two weeks, owing to almost incessant headache, for the reason of which I cannot account. Nor do I get much pity, for I am told by all how well I look. Last Seventh day evening, Sister Rachel was taken sick; Samuel went early for Dr. Cheeseman, who told her. she must be carefully nursed; that her sickness was a touch of the times,' and that one of her sisters had better be sent for. I left school and went immediately; staid all day, but went home at night, mother being with Elizabeth Hopkins, and I was fearful father would have a fit of the gripes. Morning, however, found us well, but Sister Rachel still more indisposed. Mother passed the day with her, and I went up after school; remained during the night, that I might ease her mind in the morning' by making a loaf

or two of bread.

'Samuel is so fond of home

made, with Indian,' she says. Yesterday she was much better.

66

.

In our part of the town little is known or heard of the cholera. In Greenwich, the last week, it has been dreadful. One night, nine deaths within a few yards of R. Cromwell's, and, in one block, thirty new cases and twenty-eight deaths. This week, it appears to be decreasing and less alarm is the consequence."

"Yesterday, I went with James to look at some chairs. He took half a dozen very handsome, neat, fancy rush-seated, and a delightful rocking chair, without arms, to match them. I recommended one without arms, as it will be more convenient to sew in, and if he should want one with arms, it will be as easy to get one later as now. We intend-I mean, James and I concluded-to get a cherry bedstead like mine in the back chamber; a maple cornice will be seven dollars; now please consider whether thee would prefer giving twenty dollars for such an one; or have a feal, or field (for I'll be whipped if I know how to spell it). The room shall be neatly furnished and in order just fit for Mrs. Bride. The carpet is neat as wax-two greens and after James' own heart-so, of course, it must be handsome. One thing I've treated myself to some goldbanded cups and saucers, for the brides. I mean, to entertain them with.

J

CHAPTER V.

1833-1834.

MARRIAGE.

AMES SLOAN GIBBONS and Abby Hopper

were married according to the order of Friends, in the Meeting House, in New York, on the fourteenth of the Second month, 1833. It was a union in which husband and wife shared the same fine tastes and were animated by the same high purposes; where mutual affection and confidence were united with strong individual characteristics; and this union lasted in undiminished strength and tenderness through the changing fortunes of nearly sixty years.

We find an account of Abby's wedding dress in a letter from her sister Mary.

Abby's wedding dress was what was called in the old days 'tea-colored' Turk satin. It was made with surplice waist gathered in at the belt front and back; was plain on the shoulders, high neck, had small leg o' mutton sleeves, with a thin, silky material in the neck and at the wrists. She wore a white camel's hair shawl and white kid gloves. Her bonnet was of the finest split straw, of the shape called 'cottage,' with white ribbon strings