My good old father has paid the debt of nature. He died on the 17th. inst. I need not tell you how much he was loved and venerated by his children. His departure was attended by every circumstance which can lighten affliction for such a loss. Yet the separation is very painful and I am not yet in a mood to write with levity.1

William will continue to reside at Bedford; the Estate there is left to him. I have the stone house at New York; and the rest of my father’s property except some legacies is to be divided equally among all his children. My sisters remain for the present with William, their plans are not yet settled, but it is probable that they will pass the winter in Mrs. Banyer’s house next door to us. Your friend Mary is married to Frederick Prime. My other girls are growing up around me, and teach me without the assistance of my glass that I am growing old. Still I must labor on to maintain them, while you are enjoying all that can render Europe agreeable.2 I rejoice in the Laurels you are winning and trust they produce golden fruit. We shall rejoice still more if you should repose under their shade in Westchester. Your Bachelor (except that it paints us too favorably) is an excellent Book, and the predictions it contains are infinitely less improbable than an Englishman could by any means be made to believe. Capt. Basil Hall we are told is going to lash us. Few men have been better received here than he was, yet he left us I believe in a sour humor. His condescension and desire to instruct us, tho’ meant to shew humility and kindness were felt as arrogance, and his wife indulged herself in certain criticisms upon the American ladies which justly displeased the latter.3

You will find at your return our Society much changed, some whom you knew are dead, some Bankrupt, some married, many absent, and numbers of new faces appear daily on the scene. If you remain absent much longer you will be as little at home here as at Paris. Come back while you have some old friends left. Charles Baldwin was gratified to hear that you remembered him.4

We are longing to see your new novel with the odd name,5 and your travels in Switzerland will I doubt not be instructive as well as amusing. It is a country after all which (if you except the scenery) I think I should not admire; however, you are a better judge and I shall acquiesce in your decision. We have no political news which will be interesting to you. There are a great many appointments and disappointments, of course some are gratified and many displeased. What are to be the distinguishing features of Gen. Jackson’s administration cannot yet be determined. Hitherto there has been nothing to denote great ability, nor perhaps the reverse. It is probable things will go on pretty much in the old way.

Miss Martha Delancey was here a few days ago looking very well. Her sister was still at Philadelphia. Mrs. Jay is at Rye, or else I am sure she would desire to be remembered to you. Remember us all to Mrs. Cooper and the young ladies. Your friend and servt

Do you know Stewart the missionary? in his journal he frequently compares the views in Hawaii to those on Lake Otsego, and speaks of your house at Fenimore.6