University of Virginia Library

I cannot so well convince you of the great pleasure your
letter afforded me, as by writing immediately to express our
gratitude and thankfulness to hear that Mother is so much better.
We trust the next letter will inform us that she is in her usual
health. From our not hearing for a longer time than usual we
hopefully inferred she must be better, and were truly happy to
find a realization of our wishes. We were much concerned to hear
there were still so many invalids among you, We shall be greatly
relieved to hear that Margaret, Mary K. & Mary Jane have again
been restored to good health, and enjoying the mild balmy air of
spring.

Since you last heard from us, death has again visited our
little community, and taken another member in the morning of life
Mrs. Wards grandson William Swann, who never entirely recovered
from the measles took cold and was seized with pneumonia and typhoid
fever, which soon carried him off. Saturday last, the ninth
day of his illness, he expired! From the first of his attack he
seemed to have forebodings of his approaching end, and manifested
a deep concern on the subject of his coul's salvation. Though
a kind hearted affectionate boy, he was disposed to be a little
wild, and we hope he has been taken from the evils to come, where
sin and sorrow are no more felt or feared. His poor grandmother
is deeply afflicted, as are his other relatives—Both Mary Briggs
and Margaret Swann are interested on the subject of religion, and
we trust their affliction may prove a blessing to them. It was a
most touching and solemn spectacle to see his youthful associates
bearing in his body to the Chapel, whore his funeral was preached
by Mr. Gibson, who gave us a most interesting and impressive discourse
from this text, "My son give me thine heart."

Our family are all well at this time. Mr. Broadus Maria
and Eliza went out yesterday evening to Mr. Wm. Farish's to remain
until to-morrow. I am sure they will have a very pleasant
visit. Eliza does not talk much better than when you saw her, she
makes herself entirely understood by signs. I suppose it will be
some time yet before she speaks. Bobbie's head still continues
most obstinately bald. Every now and then I hear something to
encourage a hope that he will untimately be blessed with a full
suit of hair. Some children are five years old before they have
any. I should like to see sweet little Williette. I suppose, but
for her being so delicate she would have walked some time ago. I
was very sorry to hear dear little Minna had sore eyes. I hope
they are well by this time. She is doubtless as smart and interesting
as ever.

We are likely to have some changes next year which will
surprise every one very much. Both Mr. Rogers and Dr. Smith
intend resigning their professorships, the former wishes to be
with his brothers, and to help his brother Henry in his geological

labours, besides, I presume he thinks his wife would
prefer being with her family, especially as her father is aged
and infirm. We will be extremely sorry to part with them. The
University will sustain a great loss in both cases. Since Mr.
Guthrie, the father-in-law of Dr. Smith has a place in the
Cabinet, Dr. S. is obliged to return to Louisville to take care
of his immense property. He is said to be worth a million. They
are very amiable pleasant people. I wish we may be as fortunate
in their successors whoever they may be. The Dr. invited all the
ladies of the place with the gentlemen of their families to come
to his laboratory yesterday afternoon to see some experiments.
We went and were very much gratified. He showed us some very
pretty and instructive. I wish we had more frequently an opportunity
of seeing such things.

Mary McGuffey kept her secret so well, we never found out
until the return of her lover from Philadelphia this spring, that
she was engaged. The gentleman is a Dr. Stuart of Pennsylvania.
He does not know where he will establish himself, consequently she
does not know when she will be married, not for some time I presume—nor
will Honrietta either. Mrs. Dr. McKennie has a son.
She has not been well since her confinement. Mrs. McKennie has
a good deal of troubles, her servants are so constantly sick, she
is greatly confined by them. Her old woman died this morning. I
presume you have heard Mrs. Stevens lost her cook. I was very
sorry to hear it. I saw her in town a few evenings ago, she was
looking very well & Adoline Rodes also. I am almost afraid to say
what I hear these days, some things are so ridiculous and prove
so utterly untrue. It was reported for some time that poor old
Betsey Stevens (whom you may probably have seen on the road,
where she is pretty generally to be found) was eaten by a bear
that got lose, and was running about the country. Whilst we were
waiting to hear it confirmed some one said there was no doubt of
it, for a gentleman who sat as one of the Coroners inquest saw
her and told them of it. Shortly afterwards the old woman was
seen and when told of the concern of her neighbours, said she
"knew it was a story when she first heard it," for very good
reasons I should say. All the family join me in much love to
Mother-Margaret-Mary F. Mary Jane, Fannie and yourself. I am
glad to hear aunt Baxter is better, give our love to her.