Chicago Jany 2   11 oclock  P M. 1856

     My dear Wife,

                             I reached here before ten oclock this evening in safety having travelled 210 miles since noon.  Most of the road all the way from Cincinnati is very rough & the cars rock about almost as much as our steamer did in crossing the ocean.

     To day I crossed prairies for the first time some of them as broad as the eye could take in.  The road from La Fayette was nearly 70 miles in a strait line across the prairies & all the way from Cincinnati I have not seen a hill over 30 feet high.

     I was attacked yesterday afternoon by the rheumatic affection in my right breast rather severely but I managed to get up my drawings and go through with my lecture comfortably.  The audience was large & attentive.  I found Dr McLeans family a delightful one to stay in.  They nursed me up so well (among other things giving me a glass of good Madeira) that I slept well & have endured my ride to day well.

My breast is better.

     I found Mr Ward waiting for me at the