Arvine Wales letter to Arvine C. Wales, February 18, 1846

              D-430-22
page 1

Dear Son                                  Feby 18th 1846
                    Yours of 11th came to hand in due course I am well pleased with the acct you give of the progress you are making in your studies yet it would be verry expensive at the expense of your Eyesight. The Eye is a delicate organ. Wm Skinner was here day before yesterday & sais he is looking for Charley to come home in the course of this week, but has got a situation in Cinncinati and will return again I hope the report May not prove true with respect to C.M. Clay for it would prove a great reaction to the cause of liberty in the noble stand Clay has taken for depressed human nature.  Lydia Ann is not a getting along verry well she has been quite unwell for a week past. Mrs Porters name is Mary Dalton, I do not recollect Mr Porters given name we have good sleighing snow 7 or 8 inches deep the snow fell on Sat. last & the weather could enough for god Sleighing. The Spanish nation has been a noble people at one time. Under the dynasty of the Saracenes were the only enlightened people of Europe, the Spanish language is composed of the latin or Roman. the Goth & Moor or Arabic & the nation in blood are a mixture & compound of all those nations & in their best days were a bold & noble independent nation but now a degenerated people the result of a numerous priviledged Nobility and an expensive Church organization a debauched Priesthood numerous Abbys & Nunnerys together with religious festivals & debaucheries hence the whole Kingdom has become paralized