the invalid for the time forgets his infirmities and with wondering admiration contemplates the surrounding scenes. Frequently you are the subject of my thoughts, and if you were only within the reach of rapid communication would receive more frequent visits. The weather is moderating here. Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor, June 12, 1849. DEAR SISTER: Doubtless you are expecting an answer to your last, and in truth not without reason, as I have not written for more than two months. But my silence has not originated from your not replying to my former letters, but is due to other causes, such as weak eyes and pressure of business, as I have to discharge the duties of quartermaster and commissary, in addition to my other company duties, and from such causes I have now a number of unanswered letters on hand. I wish when practicable to write to you once every month, and I do not wish you to reply unless your eyes will admit of it without pain, because I prefer that your health should be preserved to any other earthly consideration. And I hope that you will not strain your eyes on any account whatever. We cannot appreciate our blessings until deprived of them. My health is improving. I forwarded to Mr. Arnold a catalogue of Harper's publications. If there is anything in it which he wishes I hope that he will not fail to let me know. When you get possession of my books, I wish that you would retain them until I see you, or write relative to them. I have not subscribed for Graham's Magazine, but will do so if you desire. I merely sent you a copy in order to see how you would like it. I hope to send you a copy or number of the Lady's Book, which some prefer to Graham's, though I cannot say which is best; but when you shall have received it, you can judge for yourself. I have received my commission as brevet major. I am gratified that you had an opportunity of doing Judge Lee a favor. I sent a fifty dollar bank draft to SW, with a request that he would pay Miss C▬▬▬▬▬ N— a small sum, I think $2.50, $3.00 or $3.50, which she let me have for the purpose of making a small purchase, which I did not make; and as I have heard nothing of him since (a relative who at the time was on his way across the plains to California) and as some months have elapsed, I fear that something may be wrong. I wish that you would ask Miss Eliza N— about it and if S has not settled it, I wish that you would. If at any time you should not receive an expected letter, try and make yourself easy, as in case of any accident happening to me, I have friends who would not fail to give the necessary information. The cholera in the city is on the decline. I have no dread of it, as I believe that those who keep their systems in a healthy state have but little to fear. Your sincere brother, Mrs. L. A. Arnold. 1 Godey's Lady's Book. THOMAS. X FORT HAMILTON (1848-1850) M AJOR JACKSON was seriously handicapped at times in his studies and work in consequence of weak eyes. It was his invariable custom in reading or writing to wear a shade for their protection, and never to use them for such purposes by artificial light. He had to exercise the greatest care with them in order to be able to discharge his daily duties. By the observance of strict rules in their use, his eyes in time were much improved. In the letter following he refers to this infirmity, and from his experience is able to impart some excellent advice to his sister for the care of her eyes, which at intervals gave her more or less pain. Also, his health was so impaired as to necessitate the strictest attention on his part, at times, to the character of food that he used; and from a study of his own dietary, he was enabled to give some valuable advice on this subject. His life while at Fort Hamilton seems to have been interspersed with various official calls to distant points. The social festivities on these occasions evidently were greatly enjoyed by him. And while he writes of the life at Fort Hamilton as being rather dull, yet it is evident that it was not entirely devoid of the usual pleasures of society in which he participated. MY DEAR SISTER : Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor, The morning duties are ended, and through the blessings of that All Ruling Being I am allowed the privilege and pleasure of communing with you. I received some days since a letter from Uncle John White, informing me of your visit to him, and of the news of his vicinity, but which it is not necessary to mention as I presume that all is probably already known to you. I also received a letter from Cousin EC—, informing me of the marriage of Cousin I— her sister, of her own recovered health, and of the prospects of her promising brothers, B and W. She also stated that the health of Aunt and Uncle Williams was good. But she had not heard from you since my visit. If your eyes should become so as to allow of your writing without pain, then try and drop her a note, for truly she is one of your friends. But I hope that you will not strain your eyes for the purpose of writing to any one. You can at least send her your card and an occasional message by some of the lawyers. (The relative referred to lived in Clarksburg, Virginia. The more prominent lawyers of that place attended the courts held at Beverley.) I feel much concern about your eyes, for fear that you will strain them. Remember that the best physicians are opposed to straining that important organ; and when it fails, or begins to fail, naturally, that they recommend spectacles. But this should be the last resort, and should only be used when necessary. For instance, some persons can walk about out-of-doors and indoors without the light hurting their eyes, but must use the auxiliary in reading. The great objection to spec tacles is that when their use is once commenced, it must be generally continued through life. A person in purchasing a pair should select the lowest number which will answer the proposed end; and then, as circumstances require, increase it. But I would advise you not to use them as long as you can do without them, at the same time avoiding pain. My eyes were so weak some months since that I could not look long at objects through the window; and to look out-of-doors was frequently painful, though but for a moment; and I was reduced to the necessity of masking my looking glass, on account of its reflection. I could not look at a candle, not even for a second, without pain. I consulted my physician, and he told me not to use them, and at the same time to avoid spectacles. I did so, and at present I can read a letter of three or four pages without feeling any inconvenience of consequence. My health is improving, and my strength is returning. I have so strictly adhered to my wholesome diet of stale bread and plainly dressed meat (having nothing on it but salt) that I prefer it now to almost anything else. The other evening I tasted a piece of bread with butter on it, and then the bread without it, and rather gave my preference to the unbuttered bread; and hence I may never taste any more of this once much relished seasoning. And I think if you would adopt for your breakfast a cup of moderately strong black tea, stale wheat bread (wheat bread raised, and not less than twentyfour hours old), fresh meat-broiled or roasted is best-the yolk of one or two eggs-the white is hardly worth eating as it requires digestion and affords but little nutrition. For dinner the same kind of bread and meat, one vegetable only, say peas, beans or this year's potatoes, and for drink, plain water. For tea, the same kind of bread and |
