 | Berkeley papers |  |
I have been promising myself, for some time, to write
to you; but the natural indolence of my nature has so well argued
with my feeble resolution, that procrastination was the result.
Hoping then you will pardon my silence, and attribute it to
the real cause, in future, I promise to be a faithful correspondent
& hope you will follow such good example. I have written home
two letters lately & have received no answer as yet. Ma does not
favour me with very long letters, & therefore there shd be a
greater abundance of them. I may be curious in my tastes but I
like to have long letters & badly written, it is a pleasure to me
to con them over a second time & thus prolong the delight. So never
apologize to me for a badly written letter. We have quite a large
party here now. Mr. & Mrs. Boden, Mrs. Donnell & Miss Robbins.
The 3 first will not be here more than a week more. Fr. the short
acquaintance I have formed with Miss Robbins I like her very much,
tho' not pretty she is very lively & good humoured & seems to be
amiable and obliging. She plays on no instrument & thus is deficient
in one of the most attractive of accomplishments. I would
give a good deal to hear you play some of your pieces. I have
heard no good music on the piano since I have been here. I hope
you find time to practise some little every day. I went to see
Mr. & Mrs. Outerbridge some time ago, & the former said he admired
your playing very much. Mrs. Outbridge asked concerning
you & Mary. I was sorry that you had not sent some messages to
them. They are very kind people. I am very sorry that I could not
send Mary her gloves, the person I gave them to was taken sick &
could not clean them by the promised time. I missed two opportunities
pending them, one by Mrs. Bledsoe & the second by a box
I sent home containing a coat I could not wear. By the by, will
you please tell Pa I sent off my coat in a small box yesterday. It
was directed to him & went by Adams Express. Tell Mary I will send
them by the 1st opportunity. I have received several letters fr.
Edward Smith, & from the tone of the last I gathered that he had been
unsuccessful or rather disappointed in his love affairs. I too
dislike to pry into his or anybody's secrets, & therefore I will
not ask him about it. You may perhaps have heard some rumour
concerning the officer (for I know that the Univ.y is not wanting
in tattless) if so, I feel a curiosity to have my conjectures either
confirmed or dissipated.
I was very much obliged to you for the cake you sent
me. I enjoyed it very much. I wrote to Mary some time past, & have
not received an answer; her silence I conjecture from what Ed.
Smith said was owing to her eyes. I hope they may soon get well.
Is her little girl as fat as ever? I was very sorry to hear that
poor Mr. McKennie had been attacked with such violent disorder. I
am anxious to hear more about him. I have not found as yet many
acquaintances in the city, tho' I know some few young ladies. I
was introduced to a Miss Shubrick this morning whom I found quite
pretty etc. 1 2 doors below us there are 2 young ladies ( the
Misses Cleeman) whom I visit, & like very much. Mrs. Cleeman is a
days since but did not speak to him as he was busy talking
to a number of gentlemen. I have not called on Dr. & Mrs.
Rogers tho' I design doing so shortly—they live on Girard
Street not far from this house. I shall call this evening
at Dr. Dunglison's. I have been there only once since my
arrival. When you write you must give me a long & detailed
account of everything which engages your attention, from the
most trivial occurrence to the gravest matters. Kiss Lida
& Annie for me. Give my love to Mary & Mr. Smith, Pa & Ma
& all my brothers & Rosalie when you go to the University, &
to all inquiring friends say that I do not forget them.
Tell Mr. Broadus that I would be thankful if when he is disengaged
he would sometimes write to me. I must now conclude,
by wishing you the joy & happiness. My love to Mr. Broadus
& so for yourself & children receive my love.
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