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Paris Mo. June 16th 1849

Dear Mother

It is now more than two weeks since I left Greenfield, with a promise to write you as soon as possible; but so little has occurred during the interval that would be interesting to you, after the general idea which I have already given you of the usual state of affairs that until now I have not thought you would find it very instructive or edifying to read my productions.  Nor do I now take my seat with the expectation of interesting you for a moment by the relation of anything more or extraordinary, for as I have often told you before there are but few places which remain so perfectly undisturbed by the commotions which agitate the rest of the world as this little town of Paris.  The arrival of the mail stages three times a week from the East and West are the principal events of interest which occur from one month’s end to another; and the moderate supply of old news which they bring serves to amuse the minds of the citizens till the next regular arrival.  The topics which are now most frequently harped upon are the Cholera and the great Jefferson City speech of Col. Thos H. Benton; though of the two I think the popularity of the aforesaid disease as a theme of public discourse is fast decreasing, while that of the threatened division in the Democratic ranks, is rapidly on the ascendant.  But those subjects are I doubt not fully discussed 



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and probably far better understood among the rural shades of Greenfield than here in the metropolis of Monroe,  -- so I hear them without comment or opinion. 
 
I reached Col. Price’s the day I left home, just in time to escape a most glorious drenching from a tremendous shower which suddenly poured down, and to get a very pleasant seat at the Col’s dinner table.  Mine host and his lady were however absent on a trip to Pal[myra] and I was consequently deprived of the pleasure of their society; but I found Homer’s chum Dr. Gore a very pleasant and intelligent young man.  Homer himself appeared in the finest spirits and perfectly contented with his situation.  I am glad that he has fallen upon so pleasant a spot, seldom as it is that they are not with in the “woods” of Missouri, and I cannot help thinking that he must derive much advantage from his situation.  Remaining but a short time after dinner I mounted my pony and by 4 o’clock was once more in Palmyra, having again very fortunately escaped a soaking by reaching the covered bridge over North River just as the storm burst upon me.  I found Palmyra looking more beautiful than ever with its shady groves, neat gardens, and pretty white houses.  The corporation too had been making some improvements for the prevention of the expected Cholera, and the effect of this was seen in the increased beauty and the air of cleanliness and purity which they imparted.  Houses were repainted, dirty looking streets cleansed and purified, 



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fences and trees whitewashed, and numberless little changes made which taken separately would have appeared trifling and insignificant but when viewed in the aggregate added much to the general appearance of the place.  My stay there was of course short, -- shorter than it would have been if Fanny had arrived in town on Saturday, as she expected when I left Greenfield; for I found a young man of my acquaintance from Paris who returned on Saturday and would have taken my horse home had I been ready to send him.  But I could not wait a week till Fanny’s return and having spent my time while in town very pleasantly at Mrs Dryden’s who kindly invited me to make my home there during my stay.  I mounted my horse again on Monday at 12 o’clock and set my face homeward.   The weather was very warm and I jogged slowly on till sundown when I reached Clinton a little town 12 miles from Paris where I concluded to stop and get my supper and give my pony a little rest and finish my ride by moonlight.  At ¼ past 8 I called for my Rosinante who doubtless was somewhat surprised at this unceremonious proceeding, and lighted on my way by the beams of the full moon which had just risen, I addressed myself to the task of completing my journey.  Had I not been so tired I should have enjoyed it very much indeed, but after riding 30 miles under a warm sun on a hard trotting horse, the romance of the thing had nearly all evaporated, leaving nothing in its place but the dull, stern reality.  I kept up my 



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spirits tolerably well however, and a little after eleven the roofs of the houses as they lay shining in the moonlight rose up to view through the leaves of the forest which surrounds the town.  All was sunk in silence.  The people had long before wrapped themselves in slumber, and not a sound was to be heard but the faint echo of my horse’s tramp as he shambled through the deserted streets.  I quickly reached the stables, disposed of my stud, and hastening to my humble domicile was soon with the rest of the Parisians locked in the peaceful arms of Morpheus.  Thus ended my visit to Shelby & Marion; -- pleasant in its beginning, pleasant in its continuation and tolerably pleasant in its finale.  I can truly say, that throwing out a very few trifling incidents and disappointments a more pleasant visit of the same length I never have made.
  
I was considerably disappointed last week, on opening the “Paris Mercury” to see the announcement of the appointment of Judge Mahan, to the office of Register.  I don’t know when I have been more chapfallen than I was in that moment.  Before the announcement I had thought that I was almost indifferent to the result – at least I had determined, whichever way it terminated that I would not feel disappointed at all; I thought I could hear of someone else being successful without envying him -- but when I took up the paper and read that Mr. Mahan was actually appointed and that all the efforts and recommendations and every thing else that promised so much for father were now of no avail -- utterly lost, I could not help feeling very much disappointed indeed in spite of all my resolutions. 



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But I do not know of any particular end that is now to be attained by mourning our disappointed expectations, for if I did, I would keep on mourning till that end was accomplished.  I am very glad indeed that the hope of obtaining the office was by no means a “forlorn hope,” & that there is so good a support to fall back upon now that has proved rotten and worthless.  Nor may it prove in the end less profitable and pleasant than a comfortable berth under the patronage of Uncle Sam.  Perhaps we were disposed to look on the pleasant picture held up to view with too favorable eyes.  We saw at a glance all its merits – its advantages and were satisfied without looking further.  Those advantages were apparently great, the privileges and pleasures of society, the opportunity of seeing and having many sociable friends around, the return once more of old familiar scenes and pursuits – all these and many others came up in rapid succession before the delighted vision, and formed a prospect inviting in the highest degree.   But still there would have been some thing as there always is to counterbalance this list in part.  There would have been the tumult, the confusion anxiety and labor of a removal – there would have been cares, which if not entirely new have been for a long time unknown incident to the very first step, -- there would have been anxious thoughts left behind for that which remained for the welfare and prosperity (I may say) of the spot which for so long a time we have been accustomed to call our “Home” and which rude in its external appearance though it be, is associated with a thousand interesting recollections, some of a happy and others of



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a mournful, though not less sacred character, and which none of the scattered band who once gathered around that happiest of firesides, could bear to see touched with the desecrating or negligent hand of a stranger, -- there would have been cares too, inseparable from the duties of the office which would not make the sleep more quiet nor the health more firm; and this might have been, for there frequently, -- too often, is, the ridicule and scorn of politicians, the secret envy and jealousy of unprincipled disappointed opponents, and the often unjust attack upon motives, character & conduct, which is so often the employment of many who seek to elevate themselves by pulling others down.  All these must be weighed in the balance with the advantages of the new position and perhaps when fully & clearly viewed, they lessen the feeling of disappointment  and cause the keenness of its pains to be mitigated.  But after all, supposing that the advantages to be gained were certain, clearly defined set off by no inconveniences or disadvantages, and were greatly superior to those of our present condition, that does not make our many blessings fewer in number, nor our few discomforts greater.  They are the same that they have been, and if our spirits have borne up without sinking under the Past there is certainly no ground to fear for the Future.

I have spun out my letter to a greater length than I anticipated, and would be well satisfied if its merits were not inferior to its length.  As it is however I send it hoping in due time to receive my reward; my health is first rate; business rather dull yet.  Love to all.
  
Yours very affect. 
E. C. Winchell

[Written on margin of first page:] P. S. I have Holden’s Dollar Magazine which I will send to you once a month for the “Literary Union” if you do not wish to purchase it.