A little advice perhaps would be good on both sides, and they that give should be willing to receive.

See to it that thou payest me down for this.
This letter also gives an insight into the medical practice of the good old times.

A niece, Cynthia, is being treated for the dropsy by "drinking copiously of a decoction made by charring wormwood in a close vessel and putting the ashes into brandy, and every night being subjected to a heavy sweat." It recommends plenty of blue pills and boneset for the ague.

Later, Susan writes of a friend who is "under the care of both Botanical and Apothecary doctors." For hardening of wax in the ear she sends an infallible prescription: "Moisten salt with vinegar and drop it in the ear every night for six weeks; said to be a certain cure." The staid and puritanical young woman is much disturbed at the enthusiastic reception given President Van Buren at New Rochelle, and writes home: We had quite a noise last Fifth day on the occasion of Martin's passing through this village.

A band of splendid music was sent for from the city, and large crowds of people called to look at him as if he were a puppet show.