Arvine Wales letter to Arvine C. Wales, April 20, 1846

              D-430-25
         Dear Son
           Your two letters upon Metionology
  came to hand in due course I am so busily
  engaged I have not [illegible] to write upon
  science but have long known that of the
  weather to be interesting.  I should like well
  to have the Barometer adjusted by Dr. Ray
  but fear its fate, it having been a present from
  Mrs Rotch four times its value would not
  tempt me to have it broken while I live
  for no other to me would be of one quarter
  its value. Our weather is cold dry & frosty
  with now & then a pleasant day friday & Sat-
  warm Sunday cold a hard frostlast night.
  all the all the same part of last week cold.  we Have
  had verry little rain for the last 6 weeks
  8 1/4 inches since the gate of the Reservoir was shut
  early in Janary by Wm Dady's rain guage
  Aron Mathes & I left home lastt Tuesday
  Mother as far as Middleburg & to Parkman
  I staid one night at Richmond but did not see
  Jas Folger. I called at Wm McClelland where I
  found Mrs. Noble & Mother but Mc Had gone to
  Wm he has been verry sick his life was disposed
  of at one time he was verry much frightened
  & burnt his [illegible]his disorder was a type of the 
  eruptive fever, Erysepilus or Scarlutemia on
  our way home we visited Mr Rent at