University of Virginia Library

Edward has just stepped into my room with a letter from you
from which it appears there has been a mutual misapprehension as to
the party from whom a letter was due, I supposing that my last letter
containing allusions to several important matters, had not been answered
as yet. However I must confess that this supposition has not
mainly been the reason for my delay. I had fully intended writing a
reply to your acceptable letter, and it has certainly not been owing
to anything said therein, that my intention has not been sooner carried
into effect. It must be attributed to a bad habit I have, of
deferring the performance of that which I feel no immediate pressing
necessity of executing. It seems to me to be one of the worst features
tho' perhaps an inevitable one, of our school systems, that stated
duties are required at stated times & the pressure of compulsory regulations
is substituted for the stimulus of rational motives. To
this mode of viewing duty I attribute the difficulty we all feel in
applying ourselves in times of vacation. The amount of useful acquirement
I have made in all my "vacations" summed up, would not equal
what is attained by one week's diligent application. This habit attaches
insensibly to other duties, as I have frequently felt to my
great mortification; & in none more frequently than in my correspondence.

I was very much gratified by the kind words contained in
your letter. Nothing I have is prized more highly than the collection
of letters I have rec.d at various times from you. I have not had
any special occasion during the past month or two for thinking of
plans for a settlement. My life runs on here so evenly from one day
to another, that the weeks pass by almost ere I am aware they have
flown. This undisturbed quiet life is one that I would continue to
lead, were my own wishes alone to be consulted. No circumstances have
occurred to develop anything new as to the future, or to call my attention
particularly to arrangements for the coming year. I am afraid
that the session will have passed before I shall be able to make any
definite desirable step. Time in its rapid flight seems to hurry on
the moment when something must be fixed upon, while at the same time
it brings with it nothing to aid in making the decision. It would be
agreeable to me, if I were sure it wd be right, to dismiss all thoughts
of the future, enjoy the present as it passes-and trust, like Mr.
Mioawber, to what may "turn up". But this will not do. My misfortune
is that I do not know what will. I have thought of asking you to
notice in your Intelligencer any advertisements offering places for
teachers—such as you wd judge desirable. Such advertisements are I
have frequently observed in that paper. In regard to Lisbon I will
say that I do not wish to lose the chance of getting it, altho I confess
that from the time I first heard of and saw the place, I have
never had much opinion of it. It has acquired a reputation, which
whether good or bad, will probably stick to it. This should be carefully
considered. The reputation wh. Benton et alii, have given it,
is not probably of the best kind. As to the cost of living in the
same style in Loudoun & in Southern Virginia, I am hardly prepared to
decide, but I assure you, from what I have heard & seen of the
schools about here-it is not more the practice or interest of teachers
here to give luxurious fare, than anywhere else. The great inducement
to go to Lisbon would be in my opinion the nearness to you,
that is if you should buy the farm mentioned, of which your letter

intimates some doubt. All that I can say now is that I want to
abide by your judgement, aided by any circumstances which may transpire
here or elsewhere, of which I may be able to inform you. I
trust that if I work faithfully along, I may yet enjoy the kind direction
of that Providence, which has so signally blessed me heretofore,
utterly unworthy as I have been.

I am glad to learn that you are all well. I hope you have
had a merry Christmas. It would have been pleasant to me to have
stepped over & taken my Christmas dinner with you. As it was I resolved
to spend the day here-having spent now 4 successive Chr. days at
the University. I was invited to spend the day at Dr. Harrison's,
where I found several of the Professors and their ladies. There was
a fine Christmas tree, a pine covered with festoons, presents etc. in
the parlor. A great dinner at 4 o'clock constituted an important feature
of the occasion. Edward spent his Christmas, as he will no
doubt inform you, with a friend of his in Richmond. I advised him to
go, as it wd. be a relaxation to him & I knew his friend to be a very
pious & steady young man. I should not have been willing for him to
go otherwise, as many students go there to frolic & carouse.

My health till within the past few days has been very good,
& my only affliction now is an inflammation of an eyelid, wh. has
been painful & disfiguring, causing me to go about with a pair of
blue specs perched on my nose.

Tell Powell H's father, that from inquiries I have made of
his son's professors & from his general correct & studious habits so
far as I know them, Powell deserves to be highly commended. I am
afraid that he suffers his studies to abserb him too much. Powell
looks as if he enjoyed good health.

Aunt H. has, I presume. taken up her abode at Uncle Sandy's
I wish my love given to her and all at their house. I shall write to
her.

I send herewith $200, part of the 1st instalment of my
salary, which I wish you keep in the same way as the other $300.

My love to all—great & small.

A happy & prosperous New Year to you all.