Letter from Josiah Lyman on family visits, his telescope, house-building, and poor health

My dear brother Horace,

Your very fraternal and rather impatiently looked for letter dated “Hangman’s Creek. W. T. [Washington Territory] May 10/80,” re-mailed to me at Brooklyn May 28th, was most joyfully received; because especially it informed us of your safe arrival here in improved health, as well as of the health and joyful meeting of their long absent father by your dear children.

We were very sorry you were at all out of pocket, but nevertheless do not think either you or they will ever feel any serious or harmful regrets at an undertaking so prosperous & delightful to yourself & all your brothers & their children.

Of your visit, our dear brother Addison, under date of July 3rd, (in a letter in answer to that which you he received from me at Iowa,) says—“his visit was a green spot in our prairie life. I wish we could see more of the brothers & cousins here. Eunice was here and spent nearly a week lately. We had a good visit with her.”

I left New-Haven the 27th of April; Albert and Ella accompanying me from Bridgeport to Lenox, & my family following me about the 1st of May.

I went vigorously to work on my big telescope, completing the final grinding& polishing of the speculum in changing its focal length from 16 to 12 feet. This work I had nearly completed at the time (June 5th) we left the house for the use of the family of U.S. Senator Pendleton of Ohio, to whom Albert had rented it for the season. –(4 months.)

I have found however a great deal to do on the [rest?] in the work of repairs of fixtures & adjustments; so that I have hardly as yet found a month’s time for other work, i.e. surveying, draughting etc.

We are occupying for the summer a part of the house of Mr. Post; (the 1st house before the Cong[regational]. Ch[urch]. on the hill.) [?] myself, Mary, Sarah, Mr. Baldwin (when in town, though he has been gone some weeks,) & his sister.

Albert on two or three visits spent 2 weeks or more in superintending the completion of our house & grounds.

The place now is a charming one, about as attractive and convenient as any in the village. I think it is worth $10,000. It has cost Albert near $7,000, but I think he does not regret the outlay. Willie would hardly know the place it is so greatly changed since he left. Indeed the changes have mostly been made since you were here. The lawn is beautiful.

I have suffered most of the time since I came here with a sensitive stomach, manifesting itself in premature hunger, combining with it faintness, nausea, & sometimes intense prostrating pain through the entire cavity. I am now however much better. The best relief seems to be ripe acid fruits. Moderately acid cherries and currants sweetened are among the best. I have also suffered greatly from an ulcerated toe (the 4th—left foot.).—of three months constant discharge & intense soreness. It has just become healed & the soreness gone. Hence I begin to feel like a new man.

Under date of June 8th, Lauren’s Henry writes—Father has been quite unwell this spring—has suffered intensely from rheumatism some of the time.” I hope he is better now. Thus we are all fading, & shall soon have come [?] our earthly stay. May we every one be ready for the great change whenever it shall come.

Love special and earnest to yourself & all your children; in which Mary and Sarah write.

I am very anxious to learn the issue of your exploring tour. Please let us hear from you soon.

How is your new Pres[iden]t. (Mr. Herrick I believe,) liked? I understand by the Congregationalist that the number of students in the university is increasing.

As ever—
Your own br[other]. J. Lyman.