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Travelling on a lecture circuit. Unhappy with giving lectures in rooms rather than theatres.

Detailing the final sickness and death of a brother from "dropsy in the head." Comments on grief, the corpse, and funeral sermon. Notes health of various family members, some suffering from rheumatism, and suspected deaths. Mentions a local man who moved west and is accused of stealing property. Discusses crops and her flock of chickens.

Discussing seeing an amateur exhibition of “Animal Magnetism” including witnessing two women in a “state of Magnetistic Sleep,” experiments about getting them to move, and challenging efforts to wake them. “They know how to make passes because they had seen Poyen or some other operator do so before.” Features some racist language. N.B. Charles Poyen was a French professor who helped to popularize mesmerism.

Attended on a rich woman during her recent childbirth, which frustrated "The old Doctor in the neighbourhood." Has been "gaining the good graces of the better portion of our female community-- an acquisition so essential to the success and prosperity of a medical practitioner." Will be travelling to witness a will and attend to a sick friend. Notes the growth of the "Native American Party" in New York City. "Both parties Whig & Democrat here meet on common ground, and bind themselves to promote the best interests of our free institutions, excluding all foreigners from any holding of offices." Went to the museum to see "a litteral and living 'Tom Thumb' ... he is a perfect Lilliputian." Mentions his status as a bachelor but is seeking a partner. See also G[eorge] C[rosby] Finch ALS to [Hiram Bennett], June 1, 1840.

Gives an astrological reading, predicting Lucy Stacy will suffer from some illness, has a respectable and wealthy family, and will marry a man from the north. Describes her future husband and where they will meet.

Original manuscript located in Belief, Faith, and Other Collection

Letter to his sister and brother-in-law residing in LaSalle County, Illinois, providing unfavorable updates from Windham County, Connecticut. Mr. Walker thought to be "deranged" after attempting to cut his wife’s throat. Describes the attempted murder and subsequent detention in jail. Many deaths, including two suicides. Refers to it being “a general time of health about here,” and describes people dealing with cancer and consumption. Mentions many accidents including a man losing his fingers due to being shot, a mining accident resulting in a man losing an arm and an eye, and a man falling into a fire and burning his eyes out before passing away, and others. Poor weather, very little rain. News of acquaintances, including a number who have "turned millerite" “May you and every son and daughter of adam believe that endless misery is out of the question.”

Writes regarding notes on his speeches, which he has not been able to review as he has been away from home.

Appreciated Avery's letter of consolation regarding the death of Stibbins' young child, Mary. Reflects on Mary's character and her death by croup. "It was agonizing to feel that nothing could relieve her, that she must 'choke to death' without the possibility of help- but so it was to be. On Thursday the Physician was first called, she lingered suffering most intensely till Tuesday March 4." Includes religious reflections.

Letter from a Montreal physician to Brigham at the Asylum for the Insane in Utica, New York, with the history of a boy taken under their care. The patient is healthy and from a respectable and well-off family, but his parents neglected and were displeased with him. Notes a change in the boy's temperament towards volatility and the development of "monomania," which Campbell discovered after the patient offended a lady of means. Acknowledges that "lower Canada" has no places for the "treatment of the insane" except jails. Notes his high "venereal appetite" and case of syphilis, but does not believe him "addicted to masturbation." Mentions some family history with insanity.

Account of sickness in the family, describing her symptoms of fever, vomiting, and swelling. Fears her children are too sickly to be able to go to the city to be educated and spinal trouble eliminates the possibility of mechanical employments. Notes on benevolence and religion.