Cincinnati January 14th 1860
221 Vine street

My very dear Miss Lascelles,

On new years day I fully intended writing to you to wish you a happy one but was so pressed for time that I had not a moment to myself. Allow me to repeat my wishes and to tell you, you are affectionately remembered by us all. I hope you are well and that you spent a happy Xmas. We all passed the day in Walnut Hills with Nannie and John. John had invited us to drive in his sledge home from church but the thaw set in so rapidly he was obliged to return after Nanny in church and took a hack after service and had a calm quite day "with smiles that might as well be tears so sad so faint their beaming". I have expected a letter from you this long time and I hope there is one already on its way to me as there are few whose letters gives us near so much pleasure as yours. This has been a very trying Autumn and Winter particularly fatal to children, they suffer from scarlet fever and few hearths have been spared by the Angel of death often seizing the prettiest and healthiest of the little ones? The winter is severe from its sudden transitions from intense cold to warmth and back to cold again. There has also been much snow. When you write my dear Miss Lascelles tell me a great deal about yourself. Have you any society you like or are you quite lonely? Are you able to go to church yet in fine weather? What I would not give for a long chat with you and to see you once more. Mamma and Papa are both very well. Living in the country agrees with them tho Mamma complains of weakness after any slight exertion. Still neither of them suffer as many persons. Papa often walks into town and had enjoyed his sledge rides much as opportunity offers. I write at great disadvantage as all my New World friends are unknown to you and this renders my letters barren of interest. When did you see or hear from Dear Mrs Parkinson's family? Is there any satisfactory intelligence from James? Our dear brother Jack has not yet written. .The suspense is very painful and distressing to all of us. Since I wrote you last of my own movements I am just as I was then. You know how long I live any place. The family are exceedingly kind to me. Willy visits me every night nearly, I have a large pleasant cheerful room with piano and all other articles for recreation, and he mostly reads two or three hours of an evening for me. Any word of Bessie or Catherine Parkinson getting married? Girls marry in America very young from fifteen to twenty. At twenty they are considered quite old maids. America is the only country in the world I believe there is such a horror of either becoming old or looking it.

This winter I attended two lectures of Bayard Taylors. I suppose his books of travel are familiar to you as he has been in every part of the world. His first lecture was on the character of Alexander Von Humbolt. Mr Taylor was personally acquainted with him. He gave in his second lecture a most graphic history of life in the Arctic regions. The lecturer himself is very handsome. He was only a printer and gained his reputation and his success? by his own industry and talents.

I shall hope to hear from you very soon. I think of you very often and how lonely you must feel wanting earthly companionship. But "God who is rich in mercy" and "tempers the kind to …Land" can prove comfort and consolation into your cup and give you more largely of His spirit and His abiding presence. Has the revival subsided in my native land or does it still prosper. Does Mr West still fill the pulpit of dear Killough. I had a melancholy picture of that that once stirring and thriving village from Mr Charles Moore when he visited our city this fall. There are many pleasant associations interwoven with dear old Killough and many sad and painful ones too.

I have a miserable cold. I caught it out at spring grove country on Thursday attending the funeral of a dear little child. The snow was very deep and I got out of the carriage to see the coffin put into its last resting place and I got such a sudden chill there. I have been obliged to keep to the house all day but I am in good hands as I am under a Doctor's. I keep fire burning all night. You can form but a slight idea of the cold here by any comparison at home. How is Joe Surch. Give him my best and kindest remembrances and wish him for me many happy returns for the new year. Give my love warm, true and unchanging to Mrs Parkinson and Bessie, Catherine and the rest. I wish so much they would write to me. How is Fanny Hughes. Tell me please of her my dear Miss Lascelles when you write. Are Mrs and Mr Campbell still living? or is Harriet married. Be sure and give me all he news of anybody I know and now my dear Miss Lascelles with the fond hope of hearing from you soon as you receive this my effected friend believe me to remain, with much love and esteem and regard,

Your unchanged and affectionate.

Kate Rogan

PS Had the Walnut Hills folk known I was writing there should b many messages. I make a point of never sending messages that are not given me. Do write soon.