464 MEMOIR OF DANIEL TREADWELL. 



and write this rather to obtain an answer to that effect than to give you anything important 

 of myself. 



Still I must give in my account before I can ask you to render yours. First, then, this 

 may be done in a few words. My health is better than it has been for some years, for which 

 I most heartily thank God ; whether he knows or cares about the thanks of such an insignificant 

 atom is another thing. As to his having made any special interposition in my favor, 1 am not 

 vain enough to believe it. But I have a feeling of gratitude that, in the order of nature, in my 

 own organization I seem to be attaining a more sound state of health. 



On looking over the above sentence, I doubt whether it is right, — whether my thanks or 

 gratitude amount to anytiiing like that deep feeling with which the heart is impressed toward 

 another, who, we know, has labored for our benefit for the mere love of us. How difficult it is 

 to read our own hearts, and how many, when they read their hearts aloud, read them falsely, 

 although they suppose that God is hearing them ! 



I have spent the summer almost without occupation, having made two journeys to Connecti- 

 cut River. At one of these, you will recollect, I proposed that you should join us. As it was, 

 we had a most delightful time, and I should think that you must have enjoyed the season, the 

 country, and the scenery, if you had been with us, and we should certainly have had pleasure in 

 your company. Since our return we have gone to the old quarters at Sudbury almost every 

 Saturday. Thus time has passed quietly, but I cannot say that it goes happily : the want of 

 success in my guns leaves a mark which it will be hard to rub out. 



Now, my old friend, will you not contrive to let us have a sight of you before long. I 

 know that it will do us all good. Can you not take us on your return from Castleton for 

 a few days ? We have a room for you yet, whatever may happen from my diminished means 

 hereafter. 



Mrs. T. sends best regards. William Parsons is often out, and inquiring if I have heard 

 from you. 



Very truly and ever yours, 



D. Treadwell. 



To Dr. T. W. Parsons. 



Rome, December 19, 1854. 

 Dear William, — I have received your four letters as they became due, and have to thank 

 you very sincerely for thus keeping me so well up with what is passing about you. We left 

 Florence the 3d of this month, and came by the Sienna road to Rome. At Sienna we were all 

 waked up by an earthquake, which was the heaviest I ever felt ; and many people in the city ran 

 out into the streets, leaving their beds at midnight. But no harm was done, and the fine old 

 tower of the Hotel de Yille, or old palace, one of the highest and most striking in Italy, stood it 

 without flinching. We were struck with the barrenness of the country on our route, but you 

 know all this without my repeating it. We arrived at Dominic's hotel — Hotel d'Am^rique — 

 on the evening of the 7th, and found Dominic, or Mr. Costanzi, the same obliging and gentle- 

 manly person that he was in 1843, and his hotel excellent. I am afraid its situation in a confined 

 street is rather against him. After a couple of days. Dr. Ware determined to take lodgings, 

 which he found in Via Gregoriana. This was so far from us that I have been obliged, on account 

 of Mrs. Treadwell and the females, to go nearer, and we are now — Mrs. T. and I — in fine 

 rooms. No. 40 Via Gregoriana. This street is upon the Pincian Hill, just southeast of the Prop- 

 aganda, and our front windows command a full view of St. Peter's, behind which we see the sun 

 make his set. 



