Mühringen July 9/74

Dear Bell

Your letter with Photo of the 19th ult. was gladly received on the 5th & would I have replied at once but for a short trip in company of mother & sister to Rottweil from which we returned last night.

I suppose my Postal from Carlsruhe is to hand which told you that I landed in best of health & had a slow but otherwise good voyage without getting seasick at all. I was one of the few who stood up all the way. My parents sisters & brother-in-laws all been to meet & see me & I do not know how to express or describe the meeting. Thank God I found them all in good health & not much changed.

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I could write so much that I do not know where to begin first. I kept a diary while on steamer but do not keep it up now not having so to say any time for it, as I have either visitors or pay visits in town & abroad. Have also seen some of my former employers who were indeed more pleased to see me. In Stuttgart I have been 3 or 4 times already, but somehow have to go there several times again. Imnau (a watering place, mineral springs & fashionable place) is within 10 minutes walk from this place where I have met several Americans. I go there very often & have also danced there already. I played a good deal of chess on steamer & also play frequently in Imnau & here, but have to say myself, I have not gotten beaten yet. Think the bad playing of

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the adversaries is the cause. English is now a main point in fashionable circles & I have had the pleasure to meet with several German Ladies who speak the language tolerable well. I have so far enjoyed myself very much & the social life in Germany is far ahead of ours across the water. As to Business I have not had time to notice or examine much into, however, parties who, when I left this country were in moderate circumstances, are now well off & living to suit their wealth in cities or towns. But now to your favor. Your photo I think is very good excepting the left eye. Please accept my thanks for same. I am sorry to hear you feel indisposed so much so as not to accept the invitation to Louisville where I should think it would be more

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pleasant during the hot summer than in Philada. In this country it is not so warm as in America.

Hope that all of you are well. I have not had time yet to visit your relations in Osterberg, but have forwarded the letters saying I shall call as soon as I can. From Fincastle I got so far only one letter with the sad news of the death of Godwins Babie. I shall write to your Pa & Uncle Henry shortly. I will close as you may get tired of reading. Kindly requesting you to give my best wishes to your Parents, sisters, aunts & cousins & yourself. I offer the regards of

Your friend

Isaac Sweitzer

Please remember me in your next to Uncle Henry & shall write to him soon.

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All my folks have asked to be kindly remembered & best of wishes.

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