Benjamin Gratz to Rebecca Gratz - August 26, 1808

Rebecca tells her friend Maria of the frenzy around a famous actor performing in Philadelphia, her family's search for a new house, and muses ironically about creating purpose in her life.

Writing to her friend Rebecca, Slowey shares her sadness about her own sister's departure while rejoicing that Rebecca's sister Rachel moved back to Philadelphia. She also reflects on the death of Charles Fenno, a brother of Rebecca's friend, Maria Fenno Hoffman, and comments on some pro-Napoleonic sentiment in Boston.

Rebecca writes to her sister-in-law Ann in a state of concern, giving her updates on the precarious health and travels of family members and shared friends. She also mentions that the husband of her niece Sara was injured during the Gavazzi riot in June 1853.

Rebecca writes to her brother Ben, thanking him for his recent visit to Philadelphia. She also tells him of the Hebrew poetry lectures attended by the family and updates him on the health and visits of others.

Rebecca informs her brother Ben that his wife and children left in the morning to return to Lexington and gives an update on the family's health.