University of Virginia Library

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I have failed to write to you, not because I did not have
you all in mind, but for other reasons which I have not the time
nor the inclination to trouble you with.

And now that I do write, the first matter communicated
will cause you equal pain and surprise. Our friend & neighbor
Mr. Courtenay died this morning about 2 o'clock, after an illness
(fever) of only eleven days. He was taken sick saturday last a
week, although he had been somewhat ailing before for some days.
The first attack which was one of bilious dyssentery & vomiting,
seemed to yield to treatment, but the fever which manifested
itself, and became typhoid, soon prostrated him beyond recovery.
This is an inexpressibly great affliction to his family, to us
as his friends, and a most serious loss to the University. How
it behooves us to be always ready! You will be pleased to hear,
(what is the only thing that, to poor human sight, brings consolation
in this heavy bereavement) that poor Mr. Courtenay gave
not only in his last illness before consciousness fled, but during
the past half year or more in letters to his sister in law,
the most satisfactory evidence of a change of heart. He showed
a perfect resignation to die, (as he thought from the first bad
symptoms he would) resting his hopes upon the Savior's merits.

I trust you are all getting on better than when last we
heard from you. That Mother is better, and that you are all striving
to live daily for a better world. Let us trust to our blessed
Savior more—live more dead to the world & above its vanities.

You asked my opinion about the tombstones—but I mislaid
yr. letter, & cant remember exactly what you said. I think the
circumstances of the family hardly allow beyond modest tombstones
for our friends. I have thought so from the first, and
this is my opinion still. And as for the railing around the lot,
I would have that also plain and unostentatious. I would be content
with one made of locust posts, some 2½ feet high, connected
by neat iron chains. Such I saw in Laurel Hill Cemetery. An iron
wrought railing would cost a good round sum of money. And where
is it to come from? If the tombstones should be put up, the
railing may be left until I consult with you all, if it please
God to spare us, when I next come over.

Please give my love to Mother, Caroline, Margaret, Fanny,
& the rest, and believe me yr. devoted brother,