My dear Lissie,¹

I suppose it would not sound very patriotic to say I was engaged in writing up my Foreign Correspondence on this day. But as I am not disposed to spend my time, money or strength in snapping crackers promenading the streets or eating baked beans at any one of the 120 refreshment stands of the respectable colored population about the common, I thought I would even tell you that same. Last night will hereafter hold the preeminence for noise. Tired nature's sweet restorer received the sentence of Banishment from city limits while Fire Alarms, [Torpedoes?] and [Calethin?] bands became the rulers of the night by Acclamation. For the first time within the memory of the oldest inhabitants this is the first public day that Dr. Fuller had no company to dine. I may yet have some faith in the doctrine of the New Era--Only 4 visitors were here this forenoon, and now Warren has gone out. If he can get a carriage he takes his mother, sister, wife & daughter "To Independence."

Thursday morning. The carriage came and we had a fine ride of three hours. This morning Father invited me to ride to Mrs. Howe's & Dr. [Plympton's?] so once more I shall write a hasty note. I do not send the Fringe & silk for the scarf--as no fringe is to be bought or any silk to be had suitable to make one in Boston at the present writing. After looking every where & left an order for it to be made where the the screen is making, and they say after some days that it can't be had. So I have not bought the silk as it is desirable to have it the same shade. I hope the lace will please you. I could not find a Honiton² suitable less than $6.00 or 7.00 a yd., and then I do not think they were as handsome patterns as this for $1.70 which was very cheap for it. It is Malta, imitation of Honiton, made in the same place, the same in fact only not so fine. The slippers $1.50, I hope they will fit. I went to the best maker in Boston, also highest prices.

I am very well just now. The weather has been unusually warm which is reason enough for me to be well.

Please give my kindest regards to the Dr. The present of his suggesting is very gratefully received, and tell him his letter came to hand, its contents duly honored, his commission accomplished, which we sincerely hope may equal his brightest anticipations, indeed, I do not fear that but hope it will be pronounced "right."

Give my love to Lissie, I am very much obliged by her letter and shall not pass it without a reply. Then this morning, I beg for pardon. The man left the bundle at W___ Store and told him he should be in South Boston for three days. Father went out to find the place which wasn't in the directions, and learned he was to stay until after the 4^th and would call for the Bundle.

Remember me to Calvin, Isaac,³ [and] the girls. John Stetson is engaged. Jane has been to New York. Dr. Wales was concluding to go to Medford, and as Father says, while he was blacking his boots, another stepped in before him--So he still remains in Milthern [sic]. Miss Boyd went to N.Y. Port Tuesday. Mrs. Bishop has two boarders young gentlemen.

I have sent the shawl to Perdis [sic]. They are rather better than when we left there. He wishes you had time to write to him. They endeavoured to post him up, according to all we said and did not forgetting the Dr. conversation with Jacob.

The time has nearly arrived when you were to visit, altho' if I remember the said visit was to be the middle or last of July. Please write and say when we may expect you, Calvin & Isaac, and Margaret, if you would like to take her along.

[Balance of letter, 7 lines, illegible.]

P. Fuller

¹ Lissie and Lizzie appear to be diminutives for Elizabeth. Later in the letter there is another "Lissie" mentioned, likely Lizzie Currier who was probably Elizabeth Fuller McQuesten's niece by her sister Mrs. Currier. By 1857, Mrs. Currier had been institutionalized, see W1216.

² Honiton is a type of lace, see www.honitonlace.com

Honiton is a city in east Devonshire, England. It is now considered the antiques capital of southeast England. (http://www.2hwy.com/eg/h/honiton.htm)

³ Calvin and Isaac are the sons of Dr. Calvin McQuesten by his former marriages. In 1855, Calvin was 18 yrs. of age, and Isaac was 8 (see Genealogy).