Sherwood July 25th '55
Dear Eliza,
Edward forgot your note to me the other day, but brought
a message that you did not wish to be sent for until Monday next.
Burwell will got to the U.y in time enough for you to reach here
to dinner unless you prefer coming in the afternoon. I am glad you
left Mrs. Harrison so much better than you had any reason to expect
and hope she may yet be spared some time to her family. I
got a letter from Papa yesterday. He said they took into consideration
my invitation but were deterred from accepting it by tow
considerations, the warmth of the summer here, which he has such a
dread of, and a wish to confer with a publisher in regard to the
1st Vol. at least of his history, which he wishes to come out this
fall. Mama had been much improved by the use of the water both in
health and her eyes and could now eat almost abything with impunity.
Happy condition for her. They were to leave for Philadelphia
this week, and would most probably go to Long Branch. I hope Mary
Smith has found the Rawley water of benefit to her eyes. I am glad
she has had two such agreeable companions. Mr. R. & myself went up
last week to see sister Paulina. She is very much reduced, and
still suffers a great deal, but I hope is better & that she will
slowly recover—her face is still somewhat distorted but her articulation
is more distinct and she has again the use of her hand
which was paralyzed. Poor Lucy looks still more delicate than she
did last fall, and has had repeated hemorrhages sonce one inthe
carriage just before she reached Alta Vista. It is astonishing
though how cheerful she is notwithstanding. Though she frequently
speaks as if she was quite aware of her danger. They all spoke
affectionately of you and begged that while you were here, we
would come up to see them. Margaret has a fine boy, much more like
Capt. Bell than herself. Capt. Bell is now there and will probably
stay some time. he expects to be ordered out to sea this fall. E.
Douglas has also a very fine daughter, I can not say as usual
sweet little girl she is so large, and she is too small to judge
of her beauty. She seemed to have a very good nurse a Miss Pearly
of Charlottesville. I was not able to send Betsey as I wished to
do having so much company & Julia being unable to cook—but she
will now in a day or two. I promised E. when you came out that we
would spend a day with her, she begged that we would come soon.
We will go at the same time to see Mrs. Smith as Mary will by that
time be there. I felt quite sorry to part with Belle & L—- They
were both I think much charmed with their visit to Albemarle and
no part of it more than the portion spent at the U.y. Lucy said
she felt as much at home with you as me. George has been very industrious.
I am writing before breakfast & he has been here some
time having walked from Mr. Smith's. Edward & Willie have risen
early and gone out to shoot some squirrels to make a Brunswick
stew for Mr. Rives, it is said to be very fine. Ned speaks of going
to study with S. Smith. All here join in much love to you all.
I hope Dr. H. intends to come out with you. You will have a plenty
of room in the carriage for him.
