University of Virginia Library

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The old year is waning away and I have not written yet to
you and so I shall dedicate to you this letter which is partly in
acknowledgement of the reception of Pap's letter of the 23rd inst.
with the enclosed money. The prime idea in one's head at this time
of the year is Christmas of course. Perhaps you would like to know
how I have spent my Christmas. Well, strange to say, in a capital
way. Last Christmas I worked all day while now I have not worked
for several. On Friday last I went to Richmond with a student named
Thomas (the son of one of the wealthiest citizens of Richmond) who
invited another student and myself to go and spend the Christmas
with him. We returned on yesterday—having spent a most agreeable
time. I did not see our honorable representative C. B. Ball-having
all my time taken up in seeing more attractive persons. Mr. Thomas
is engaged in the tobacco business and has grown rich—has built
himself a very fine, large house on Shookoe hill, Richm.d, which
I went through—it not being finished yet. It made me think of the
"Baronial Hall" which Pap occasionally pictures to himself, but
of which he will enjoy but little unless he get away from Leesburg
faster. He has worked long enough now— to be enjoying to a greater
extent the fruits of his labors. Mr. Thomas has risen pretty
much by his own exertions and is enjoying the reward—why should
not every one who deserves it do the same? Beside all this there
is another consideration of some weight with me and that is if ever
I should wish to invite any follow student to my home or if any one
should drop in—in his travelling, I could be without the fear of
his being bored to death in that beautiful burg and could have some
hope of his being pleasantly entertained in the country. As to the
location of a country-seat—it strikes that somewhere in these
regions would be the place. I think the people here are kinder and
understand more of the philosophy of life than a great many in
Loudoun, and altho' some parts of Loudoun would seem desirable
still the whole country appears to me & perhaps does partake of [OMITTED]
of the peculiar meanness of Leesburg. This may all be quite a wild
fancy. Be it so—it can go for what it is worth. I only hope that
Pap will take into more serious and active consideration the subject
of getting away from that miserable old town of ours. Well—
that's enough for that. I haven't been able yet to get to study
exactly as before the trip to R. perhaps for thinking of the pleasant
time I had & of a very pret———well-nothing in particular.

Francis at present is troubled somewhat with a swelling
on the under lid of his right eye. It is nothing serious & is getting
better. I showed him the letter last received in which Pap
said he thought he had forgotten home. He said he had written a
short time since to some one at home. I expect he wrote again directly.
He said he thought he would.

You will excuse me if I put in this letter a statement of
my coming expenses and what money I shall want. [OMITTED]
Statement.

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This is all I can think of now and so I think that without doubt
110 or 120$ more would amply suffice me. I would like to hear in
the next letter from home how much money I have already spent this
session. It will be seen that with a little help I can meet the
first payment remaining on board—which falls due about the 1st of
January '53—and 10$ in the next letter and 10$ in the following
would enable me to pay the board and what I owe on clothes. Ten
dollar bills are quite a relief to one when his purse is growing
thin. Love to all at home. Hoping to receive an early answer.