University of Virginia Library

TO CAROLINE A. SMITH.

Your Letter, my dear Caroline, gave me pleasure.
As all your's are calculated to enliven the spirits, I
take them as a cordial, which during the residence of
the baldpated winter and a close confinement to my
chamber for several weeks, I have been much in
want of. And now what return can I make you—
What can you expect from age, debility and weakness?

Why, you shall have the return of a grateful
heart, which amidst infirmities is not insensible to the
many blessings which encompass it. Food, raiment
and fuel, dear and kind friends and relatives, mental
food and entertainment sufficient to satisfy the most

craving appetite and the hopes and prospect of another
and better country even an heavenly.

Although my memory is not so tenacious as in
youth, nor my eye-sight so clear, my hearing is unimpaired,
my heart warm and my affections are as
fervent to those in whom "my days renew" as
formerly to those from "whom my days I drew." I
have some troubles in the loss of friends by death,
and no small solicitude for the motherless offspring,
but my trust and confidence are in that being who
"hears the young ravens when they cry." I do not
know my dear Caroline, that I ever gave you
encouragement to expect me at the valley, although I
should rejoice to be able to visit you—but I now
look forward with the hope of seeing you here as an
attendant upon your mother as soon as the spring
opens and the roads will permit.

We have snow by the cargo this winter. Not a
bird flits but a hungry crow now and then, in quest of
prey. The fruit trees exhibit a mournful picture,
broken down by the weight of the snow; whilst the
running of sleighs and the jingle of bells assure us
that all nature does not slumber.

As if you love me, proverbially, you must love my
dog, you will be glad to learn that Juno yet lives,

although like her mistress she is gray with age.
She appears to enjoy life and to be grateful for the
attention paid her. She wags her tail and announces
a visiter whenever one appears.

Adieu, my dear child—remember me with affection
to your brother and with kind affection to your
honored father and also to your uncle whose benevolent
qualities I respect and whose cheerful spirits
have made "the wilderness to smile and blossom as
the rose."