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Zacatecas Janry 10th 1848 1849
My Dear Sisters
It is about two weeks since I
wrote a short letter to father, informing
him of my having remitted through Mr. Addicks
about $500, and of the disposition to be made of it.
At that time, I considered that my practice
was sufficient to support me, and I have
since been confirmed in that opinion. For
reasons mentioned in former letters, the practice
of this place cannot at present be very profitable—
of this I am positively certain from the fact that
my own practice is at this date the most
profitable in the place, & yet nothing to boast of.
It is true that, with little exception, my occupation
thus far is with the poor & middle classes, yet
these pay the same price with the rich. Providence
has blessed me wonderfully thus far, and it is
certainly admirable that, in less than two months
practice my reputation shld. be so extended
that, if no reverse takes place, I shall in less than
a year be decidedly the Physician of the place.
My collections thus far in the month are about $100
which continuing at the same rate should make me
for the whole month $300. Suppose this to be even
the average of the whole year—my plan is to put
up a Botica, of which you two shld. have a portion of the
profits & Charlie the other portion. By my practice I could
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throw a large business into this Apothecary, whose
profits shld. at least equal those of my practice as just
estimated. My last letter from Father dated Nov. 5
was recd. about a week since. It informed me
of the death of my cousin Henry.
The more I see of Zacatecas, the better I am
pleased with it. The climate this winter has
been most delightful; much more moderate
than usual. I have attended two handsome
balls & am always treated with much attention.
The society is in fact extremely liberal towards
foreigners, and more frank than that of Tierra
Adentro. There is a fine band here, maintained
by the city, which plays at what is called the
"retraita" [?] two or three times a week. At 8 o'clk
they commence playing in the Plaza in front of my
house; from there march slowly through the main
streets to the Barracks, where they continue playing
about an hour. This paseo is very fashionable, &
on the moonlight nights one may meet most of the
fashionable beauties. Little parties etc. are frequent.
The little leisure time I have I pass pleasantly in the
house of my countryman Kimball, whose wife an[d]
daughters always address me as "paysano" [paisano] or countryman
& I in return style them "pay sanitas."
My home is not yet at all well furnished but
I am about to lay out my reserved $150 in fitting it
properly, as much of one's success here depends on his
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style. You should see your plain brother in full
dress, mounted on Gregory with his handsome saddle, &
followed by his servant, paying his visits
at a gallop. It would be almost as much of a contrast
with the care-worn student, as is presented by the two
daguerotypes [sic]. When will we have the portrait of the
Persian General!? Speaking on this subject
reminds me that, I had forgotten in mentioned to
father the disposition to be made of my remittance [? - smeared].
I must insist on having the seperate [sic] daguerrotypes
of every member of the family sent to be done in the
best style. In my next letter home, for fear of
miscarriage of my last, I will repeat the most
important of the purchases I wish made. I had forgotten
to put down a fine frock black coat & overcoat from Turrell, and
two pair of fine strong black casimer [sic] pants—and a seaton needle
& piece of platinum for Galvanic battery 4x4 inches. The sooner the
box can be despatched [sic] the better, as the battery in particular
I much need. It is now so late at night that I
must conclude. Until 9 tonight my visits were
not concluded, & you may judge that I am somewhat
tired. At this very moment my servant has called
out that somebody wishes to see me. I believe it
is to report progress in a bad case of Typhus, a
disease which abounds here. She is dead. A case
of sad neglect on the part of the parents, who to save
money did not call me soon enough.
I have recently recd. letters from my friends in
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Saltillo & Monterrey. Those of La Chata's family
always send their love. My health remains good, as I hope
does that of all of you. Remember me to all friends; to
the Harris', Benedicts, Flemings & handsome Mr. Radcliff, to
Charley Garrett, & above all to Drysdale, to whom although I
have not written hitherto, I mean to write when I
get leisure. Kiss our dear parents, and believe my
dear sisters that I am as ever
Yr. aff. brother
Grayson.
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Return address: Brownsville
Texas Mar 9 49 10 cents
Addressed to: Miss M. M. Prevost
Care of A.M. Prevost Esq.
Philadelphia
Written below address: Received March 23/49.
At bottom of page:
My adopted name of Julio is that by which I am
known here—even in an official despatch [sic] of the
Government putting me on the board of health it is used.
