Handwritten letter from Dr. George R. Starkey in Washington, D.C. to his wife, Caira Skelton Starkey. Dated “Tuesday 23d” Starkey has received Caira’s letter. He presumes she has received his P.O. order and past three letters. He is distressed that her eyes are troubling her again, and he writes that if Vineland is a “healthy place,” it has “failed to produce its legitimate effects upon our family.” He wonders if there is a treatable reason for the family’s ills. He is glad Mrs. Solter has been a comfort to Caira. If she decides to seek employment in Washington, Mrs. Solter should request Dr. H. put an advertisement into the newspaper for her. Starkey will do what he can to help, but he “wouldn’t give a pinch of snuff for [his] influence here.” On Sunday, he wrote a letter to Pauline that he hopes will help her be reconciled to staying in Woodside. He thought the drawings in Geroge’s letter where a “good attempt,” though he has yet to learn the proper proportions of the face. Mrs. Hatch suggests George practice drawing single features from different faces. Starkey notes that there are only four more days before Saturday and he looks forward greatly to seeing Caira. Names mentioned: Miss Solter, Dr. H. (Hatch?), Mrs. H. (Hatch?), Pauline (Pauline Starkey Wells), Gertrude (Gertrude Starkey Pitcairn), George (George G. Starkey), Mrs. Hatch, Carra (Cara Starkey Glenn) Places mentioned: Vineland, Woodside