Sherwood Jan 7th 1854
Dear Eliza
I got a letter from F. Gwathmey yesterday giving me the
very pleasing intelligence that she would come up in the cars
to Charlottesville next Monday. She spoke of writing to you and
asking the favor of Dr. Harrison to meet her at the Depot. I shall
take an early breakfast and certainly be there myself by the time
they come in, so that if Dr. H. goes down he must not get a hack.
If I should by chance be a few minutes later than the cars, they
must not think I am not coming, but go to Mr. Broadus and sit
with Maria until I do come. I will carry F. and her little boy to
the U.y, and we will remain that day and night with you, and come
out to dinner the next day. I really feel delighted that at last
I am to have Frances with me. Dr. Brainerd would not come to C.,
and he would have left Richmond before I could get there, so
that his remedy with me must remain untried. I have a sort of conviction
though, that it would have been of service to me. I am
thankful however that my eyes are getting a little better than
they have been. I ought before to have thanked you for the pretty
little pickle knife & fork you sent me, it was what I wanted.
Tucker and Rosalie were very much pleased and obliged to you and
Mary for the books you sent them. Tucker covered his, and took it
to school. R. says you certainly did get a very pretty one for her.
She is reading it now to me, and seems to be much interested by
it. I take the same view that you do of J. Randolph's remarks.
His ill nature was so well known & prejudice so strong that no one
would much regard remarks made by him. At the same time, I think
it will be very well for Mr. Garland to suppress the passage in
future additions and he need not have put it in the first. My
closet has only been completed today and after breakfast I shall
have the agreeable task of arranging it. That meal is now ready
and I must conclude with love to all
Your fond sister
Maria R. Rives
