University of Virginia Library

A longer interval has, I think, elapsed since I last
wrote home, than has occerred before this session. As the weeks
fly past (and they go now very rapidly) I wonder that I have not
written, and yet while they are passing it seems to me that I can
hardly find time for writing, without neglecting some other duty.
So, as a last attempt, I have commenced this morning just after
breakfast, & have a short hour in which to accomplish my purpose.
I had intended writing to you soon after I left home, but it happen
ed at the first of the session that I was anxiously considering what
I should do in the future, & all the time I had to write home, was
devoted to this subject.

As I sit now at my table, with the sun shining in at my
window, I can easily transport myself in imagination back to Leesburg,
and fancy that I am with you again, surrounded by all the old
familiar faces. Only one place is vacant, that was not so when I
left home. I wish sometimes it were as easy to change our place in
reality as in imagination. I should be often with you. I hear but
little from Summerfield or Howard. They have both written to me, it
is true, and probably the reason why I dont hear more frequently,
is that I have never answered their letters. I believe I have never
written to Howard yet, and the first inch of time I can spare, must
be given to him. I should like to know what they are doing, whether
going to school, or keeping store. Summerfield's visit to the University
last year did not I hope prove so little agreeable as to deter
him from making another journey to Charlottesville. I hope to
see him again in the summer. I have almost given out the idea of
your ever getting as far as this place. I am afraid that your
aversion to the Church South will never be so much overcome as to
permit you to venture into her borders. The outskirts of her domain
have given you such an idea of her character, that I am not surprized
you do not feel much curiosity to venture into her interior. I
think however you would not discover the difference between Methodists
here and Methodists anywhere else, unless you knew beforehand.
I do not think that the Methodist preachers whom I have seen here,
are so able men as a great many in the Balto. Conf., but they seem
to be trying to do good. I suppose you will have the good fortune
of getting Mr. Rogers for another year. You ought to endeavor to
retain him, for I am sure, from what I saw of him, he is much superior
as a preacher, to any you have had since the division of the
Church. I wish you could see our Chaplain, old Mr. Gibson, a veritable
old apostolic Methodist minister, who tells and expounds to
these Professors & students, plain, old fashioned Methodist doctrine
rather plainer truth than they have ordinarily listened to perhaps.

I observed in the paper some time since, that Broad Run had
been advertized. What has been the result? The neighborhood in
which it is situated will no doubt be a hindrance to its ready sale.
The advertisement, however, causes me to suppose that the idea of
leaving Leesburg is under very serious consideration. I hope it will
not end there.

I took occasion to send my thanks to you indirectly for
those nice shirts etc., which you were so kind as to send me by Edward.
I now take the opportunity of thanking you personally. They
have been very serviceable to me. The new shirts fitted me remarkably

well. I like them better than any I have. Situated as we are
here, without any one to look after our clothes, little presents
of this kind are worth more than money, at the same time, that their
worth and acceptability are increased by the spirit of kindness,
which prompted the gift.

I have had almost no time of late to think of the subject
of most of my letters home this session, i. e. that of my future
employment. My objections to Lisbon are not thought to be insuperable,
as I learn from the last letter I received. Edward does not
like the place, I believe. I hope this resource (Lisbon) will not
be forfeited by the delay necessary to form a prudent decision. I
still hope however that I may meet with other openings, & so be
permitted to choose from among several offers. My remarks about
Alba V. were misunderstood. Since I heard Mr. Coleton's report I
have given up all idea of it & ceased to think about it & that was
intended to be the purport of what I said in the last letter. You
at home must not forgot me in my trouble & anxiety on this subject.
You must help me as much as you can. I am sure I shall have the
kindest wishes & best advice of you all. Give my love to Pap, Aunt
H. & the boys.