The course on which you have now entered evinces your good judgment and meets my entire approbation: nor are the regrets which you felt at leaving home to be regarded as at all indicative of irresoluteness of character or of a wavering disposition, they are on the contrary creditable to your heart and feelings. I have little to advise respecting the mode in manner in which you are to perform your present duties:— you of course well know that the most assiduous attention to the correct wishes, & desire to please and soothe the mind of your youthful charge are by no means encompatible [incompatible] with the preservation of dignity & independance [independence] of conduct — What I am most solicitous about and attention to which I must rigidly exact from you in attention the regard to your health. Exercise

on all fitting occasions must not by any means be omitted.— it is alike indespensable [indispensable] to bodily comfort and mental tranquillity — In your next you will please give me the detail of your occupations. They are in degree similar to my own though perhaps I have less actual confinement in teaching but then as compensation the drudgery of practising [practicing] medicine is greater than that of any other.— [unclear: I ] in all as is your salary — it is equal to my receipts for the first year of my residence here.— The inclosed $15 is less than I wish to send you but I prefer letting you have this at once to waiting for a larger sum.— By next month I hope to be able to repeat. Your orders on me for dress & [unclear: will still ] be duly honoured [honored] and of course you will not give up old habits in this respects I have really been remiss in not writing to Mrs. Guiart .— my own own cares & perplexities drive her completely out of my recollection: this is [unclear: mine ] than you will tell her —

Excuse the somewhat sententious style of this letter — originating from haste in order to be in time for the day's mail. Give my respects to Mrs Scott with a tender on my part to make such inquiries or execute commissions as may be useful or necessary to her establishment. If she finds you as conscientious an assistant and affectionate a teacher as I have always found you to be a good and intelligent sister she may not only be satisfied but think herself fortunate. [unclear: Her run ] [gap] her your efforts my dear Ann Jane [gap] is [gap] wish of

your affectionate Brother

John Bell

Miss Ann J. [Jane] Bell Care Mrs. Scott Nashville Tennessee