February 19th

We left New York on the twelfth. Williams is weak and feeble, not having recovered from his fall, and with a cough which has, however, nearly left him. Willie is well with the exception of a cough which we now think and hope will prove to be whooping cough. It will be the most favorable time for him to have it. So far we have had a pretty good run, but old Neptune handled his friends rather roughly for the commencement of a voyage, not giving our good ship a moment’s quiet and in consequence allowing us poor souls to subside into anything like comfort or order for some six or seven days. Indeed, today is the first day that I have really felt at home and reconciled to this third long voyage. May something turn up to give Williams a good business at home and make this our last business voyage at sea. If I had not been enough seasick to make me feel rather miserable and very lazy, I should have enjoyed much the magnificent spray that was constantly dashing over our vessel. The sea was very rough but the weather clear and the spray must have and did (as I a few times witnessed it) look beautiful curling many feet above our ship and then raining over us heavier than any shower. Our deck was constantly deluged with salt water, making it impossible for me to mount there.

Now the weather is perfectly delightful, and we can enjoy all that is enjoyable on deck. This change is delightful to our little Willie boy who for some five or six days had been confined to the Cabin, which confinement he bore like a dear good child, amusing himself with his books, pencil, playthings, and having stories told and read to him.

Yesterday, after finishing unpacking and arranging drawers, I went on deck to enjoy the delightful afternoon; found Willie, Noah and little Charlie in high glee. A bow-wow had been found, one belonging to a sailor. That alone would have delighted Willie, but Noah had fastened him to Willie’s little wagon and set the dog to scampering about the deck. Noah guiding the dog by a string and Willie following, fairly dancing and jumping with delight. Dear child, I am glad he has got the two boys to run and play with, for however much Mary, his nurse, and myself might amuse and play with him, yet it could not take the place of children playing together, and Willie dearly loves children, always making friends whenever he sees them, and that, I am sorry has necessarily been very seldom.