72 John Bachman. 



dead ; and ni}^ old friend, Dr. Blatchford, rather pre- 

 maturely, announced it to his people. Eva did not 

 believe it; yet, to be sure that I am alive, she has 

 come to see for herself. She says Dr. Blatchford 

 evinced much feeling on the occasion." 



A man sometimes may hear what the world 

 thinks of him in his lifetime. There were two 

 notices written on tlie supposition that I was dead ; 

 one by Dr. Weston, and the other by Mrs. Rutledge. 

 I have not heard what character they gave me — 

 good or bad — perhaps I may as well not hear it. 



I have ventured to write, though I cannot read 

 one word that I have written, still I am getting my 

 eye-sight back so fast, that, in a week, I hope to read 

 as well as to write. 



October 2nd. 

 To THE Same : 



I have much to write you, but have only time to 

 repeat a verse to you about my stay in Boston : 



" Boston is a daudy place, 



The people are all brothers, 

 And when one's got a pumpkin pie, 

 He shares it with the others." 



I have much to say to you about the elegant 

 houses in the midst of very crooked streets — of South 

 Boston — of Charlestown and Cambridge — the Col- 

 lege and the noble Churches — the Mall, and the 

 State House, and the monument going up on Bunk- 

 er's Hill. Of the kindness of the people, I shall 

 give you a few anecdotes. I had stepped into the 

 reading-room — still half blind — I could not read a 

 Avord of the Charleston papers ; I asked a gentleman 

 to read me the funeral notices ; he gave me all the 

 information I needed, and then took my arm, and 

 led me home, and afterwards he inquired after my 

 liealth every day. 



