245 Plumb Street,
January 7th 1856

My very dear miss Lascelles,

Before I proceed any further allow me to wish you many very many happy returns of the new year in which I am most cordially joined by all here. I trust you have spent a happy Xmas. Your letter my Dear Miss Lascelles diffused much joy through us all. I assure you I am quite obliged for your kind details of all the people with whom we were acquainted. I upbraid myself or not writing to those I love oftener than I do. It is not for want of affection but a dilly dallying propensity in letter writing to which I too readily yield myself. You will be glad to hear the climate so far agrees very well with Papa and Mamma. The former had a serious attack of Asiatic Cholera in the end of summer. I was not at home at the time. Had it not been for the timely and judicious treatment Papa received from Mr Cinnamon and Nanny just in the beginning till the doctor came he could scarcely have recovered. The attack seems to have renewed his health. His appetite I have never remembered so good. Nannie got four papers from you for which she is much obliged. Father hears from Mr Crawford by his sending the Recorder. New Years day was devoted to visiting by the gentlemen and the ladies receiving their guests. There is (by those who can afford) a handsome "Dejeneur" which is kept up the entire day from about 10 o'clock in the morning until late at night. We had several nice visitors but not expecting any persons as we were foreigners Nanny had no treat for them. The markets are tastefully decorated at this season, so are all the churches with evergreens and tails? of scripture in characters formed in leaves. I send you a picture of this city from Covington which we cross over the Ohio river to in one of those packets which you will perceive represented in the engraving. These packets carry omnibuses, wagons, buggies etc. etc. with the greatest facility. Covington is in Kentucky, a slave state. Nanny could tell you more of the slaves than I can as she was in Kentucky with John in the Autumn. Every family there has four or seven negroes. They are not much removed from the brute creation such is their degradation. Many a time Nanny and I talk of you my dear Miss Lascelles and wish we had you near us to talk to. I left Mr Neffs in August. The boy was so refractory? that I was obliged to resign to my great regret. When I returned to the city I commenced giving music lessons and had two married ladies and a married gentleman all safe and sedate pupils when I was visited with the most tedious malady, enlargement of the spleen. It had grown as big as a goose egg and equally as hard. Previous to my feeling any unpleasantness from the enlargement I had felt ill often at the Yellow Springs and after my return home but did not dream that incipient disease causes my depression of mind and want of energy and total listlessness. I have been eight weeks in bed. New years day was my first time for being up. Papa says I am very thin. I trust that when spring comes I shall be able to resume my occupation again. My being Irish is much against my success as a teacher here. There is a deeply rooted prejudice against the Irish. Party spirit rises as high here as at home. There is not the shadow even of me getting married. When I let youth pass and it could be attributed only to a girlish indiscretion only. I should feel only a little uncomfortable when it could be said "an old fool is the worst of fools". America is like the old country in regard of marriages. Girls who earn their own livelihood are shunned and like many there is the world those who could take me I would not have. We are looking forward to the unspeakable delight of seeing Jack from California in April. It will be eight years in June since I have see him. He is a good son and fond and affectionate brother. He writes to me nearly every mail, kind and long letters. Willy lives with Nannie and John. Papa and Mamma too. The snow is falling fast as I write. It is quite a contrast to the summer. The frost is sometimes intense that the Ohio freezes. In Ireland we can form no idea of its searching severity. A sledge drive is quite pleasant. They move so briskly and softly that the only thing heard is the merry tinkle of the bells ringing through the dry clear atmosphere. Mama says in answer to my question any message to send Miss Lascelles. I am going to slip a note in. Papa saw Mr Richardson Saturday night and he expects him up to sit a few hours with us tomorrow evening. We see Mr Charles Moore every time he comes to the city and from him we often hear a good deal of news. Nannie sends her love to you and says she will write to you. Willy stands beside me and says give love too. I shall write very soon to the Parkinsons should I not get worse than I am at present. This has been written at one or two sittings and you readily see my writing is not very steady. You will write to me soon I hope my dear Miss Lascelles tho I scarcely deserve such from you for my many shortcomings in my letter writing. Give my dear love to Mrs Surch and Joe. I hope to know they still remember me in the page of their memory with affection. I wish the account of Mrs Surch's health was such as could have given you pleasure in communicating as well as give us gladness in hearing. Tell Joe I have the old elderberry whistle he made for me one sunny afternoon at the foot of his garden while I chatted to him sitting on the stile. I dare says he forgets it. My very dear love to all the Parkinsons and Mrs Eaves. Accept the same for yourself and believe me to remain my dear Miss Lascelles ever your affectionate Kate Rogan. January 7th 1856