1840 July 31, Philadelphia, to Anna, near Germantown

              Philadelphia 7th mo 31st 1840.



My dearest Anna,
 


When we last parted I had intended to fulfill my promise of writing to thee at a much earlier period than I have done, but my time has been so much occupied that I have found it impossible to do so, and trust thee will not attribute it to forgetfulness, as I can assure thee that although absent, thee is not forgotten. Several of the family have been very much indisposed, grandfather has indeed had quite a severe attack, we scarcely thought he would recover for a day or two, but he is now very much improved and able to be about his room. The weather has been so very warm, I expect you enjoy the country exceedingly there  are but a few persons now remaining in the city, the streets are quite deserted, great numbers have gone to Cape May and other watering places. I understood from a gentleman who had just returned from Saratoga Springs, that the Hotels there were very much crowded, about four hundred visitors at one house.
 


I regretted exceedingly you were unable to hear Friend Gurney once more before his departure, I can scarcely realise that he has indeed left our native land forever, as he now supposes; there was a little girl inquired of him if he would never return here, and was almost broken hearted, when he placed his hand upon his head and replied, that "his docks were too grey ever to expect to revisit this country". I had several op-