Anna Hazard Letter to Charity Rotch, New York 12 mo 4, 1821

              B-260-11 
                                              New york   12 mo 4th    1821
                My dear Sister
                                     Upon looking at the date of thy two last
                acceptable letters, I feel a reluctance at the acknowledgment
                which I believe is due to thee for my remissness. I cannot say
                it has been from neglect for while my mind is frequently shar
                ing with you the common viscissitudes attendant upon is all
                the enjoyment partakes so much of reallity that delays are
                sometimes the result; and a shadow proves a substitute for more
                substantial enjoyment.  if I have been wanting in expressing
                my sympathy after hearing of dear Brothers severe illness, I
                hope it will not be attributed to any lack of near feeling
                with thee at so trying a period which was indeed cause
                of thankfulness at finding him on the recovery.  and the
                few lines from his hand in addition to thy last letter gave
                us reason to hope that he continued to gain; and that he
                has by this entirely recovered. which I hope thy rece(n)t letter will
                confirm,  I have also thought much of thee,on account of
                the young woman whom thou was apprehensive had 
                the billious fever; knowing thy unremitting care added to
                the arduous task of nursing, to be more than thou art able to
                perform.   since I wrote thee I have had another severe turn
                of Erysipelas in my face,and head which was exceeding
                ly swelld,and very painful,my eyes also mostly closed with