
Transcribe Ward, Henry A. Letter to Orton, James (1855-10-31)
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To my great disappointment I found that you had not
arrived, and a letter ^from you^ the next day in a moment over-
-threw all my bright hopes in relation to our presence this
winter. You do not know, dear Orton, how great a disapoint-
-ment this has been to me, especially since I have had a few
days to realize it. I had felt from the first that there was
an uncertainty about my seeing you this winter, but
I had thought so many things which would be so pleasant
if you did come, that I had that I had arrived insensibly
at looking upon you as already here .I feel very much the
need of a companion here at Paris. Of the immense ammount
of things to be seen here I have as yet seen nothing, not even the
Louvre, I love to see objects of interest, but not alone<.u>. I want some
one to see them with me - one, who, a stranger like myself, can
draw comparisons ^between^ with them & the institutions of an
other country. I visited the "Exposition" once two months ago
with Arthur Mitchell, and since that time I have postponed
going in hopes of going with you. I want someone in my
everyday life & studies to whom I can express my thoughts and hear
theirs. I feel sometimes as if I <u>must have this. It is absolutely
painful to be compelled to live beyond a certain extent within
ones self. And permit me also to add, Orton, it is hard to
live here in France without a single christian friend. Although
surrounded by so much which is evil, in a city full of vice
where the sabbath is not in the least respected and where there
is virtually, almost no religion. I have not with standing
been greatly blessed by the presence of God. But I feel as if all
my attention was needed to keep my present ground, and that
I shall never make any advancement while living thus alone.