University of Virginia Library

You will see how imprudent you were to be so liberal as
to write me two letters for one, at the beginning of this week-thereby
giving some ground for expecting at least one in answer
to each letter. `Consekence vas' as Mr. Weller wd say, that I
might have been seen on yesterday, mournfully retracing my steps
from the P. O. after a vain inquiry for an epistle. I can't forbear
sending you a few words of greeting this morning, and I feel
that I am in this only sympathizing with the scores of amorous
birds who are giving their sweethearts a gay morning serenade upon
the trees all around me. You ought to see how prettily the locusts
on the lawn have put forth their blossoms. They [OMITTED]
with their fragrance. You [OMITTED]
find a more beautiful spot [OMITTED]
at present. It seems to me that there is more singing of birds
this spring than usual. I have a complete orchestra now back of
my window. Perhaps it is not so much an increase of singers as an
increased disposition to hear them, due to a fellow-feeling, which
perhaps makes us wondrous attentive as well as kind. There is one
feeling of regret crossing my mind at this moment-that these
merry lovers will all be married, settled & have a house full of
pretty pledges, before I, poor devil, shall be taking the initiatory
steps. How we might envy the birds! What cares the little
fellow on the bush there about Dr. Worsham or a Professorship?
He would snap his fingers at both. He & his wife have no difficulty
about a house, they build one for themselves. What care
they about getting Uncle Jaok? To be sure, he does not trouble
himself much about Mary Harrison, but that only shows his want of
taste. He gives me a lesson in one thing, I have no doubt that he
pays the strictest attention to his mate's performance in a musical
way, always applauding most vigorously and never critising,
or calling to notice a false trill or [OMITTED]
[OMITTED]I must imitate him. Again, more
[OMITTED]Him no anxiety for the provision
[OMITTED]in the future. The fields of the earth
lie before him. He is one of God's freemen, and acts as though he
were conscious of the fact, that his Father's eye is ever on him.
No consciousness of guilt oppresses his heart. No lashes of conscience
lacerate his bosom, therefore no tears ever dim his eyes.
A life full of melody, spent in giving sweet pleasure to others,
rejoicing the strong, comforting the sick & despond.t by his glad
song. Has not Christ taught us from this? "Behold the fowls of the
air; for they sow not, neither do they reap. Your Heavenly Father
feedeth them-take therefore no (anxious) thought for the morrow."
But why take the consolation afforded here, unless I comply with
the remainder of the injunction "Seek first the Kingdom of God."
My dear precious girl-I am glad that one occasion of anxiety has
been removed. I am assured that Dr. Cabell pronounced that there
was no authority for saying that his uncle was pledged. On the
contrary, his uncle had written to him, expressing his satisfaction

that the University could furnish a candidate who could
be recommended. I trust, yea pray, that I may soon be in a situation
to take to my bosom my darling Mary, as my wedded wife. I
look forward to that time, if God spares me, as an era in my religious
as well as social life. This is the chief [OMITTED]
labor to get this appointment. [OMITTED]
ities and fatigues to be desired [OMITTED]
Time, which reveals all things, will soon decide this.

Rosalie is running about quite well. Flora is, I believe,
or was yesterday, still very sick. I havn't heard from Mrs. Leschot
I don't know that I will go to hear Mad. Bishop tonight. I have
been walking to Fry's spring of late. You must be my companion when
you return. I am so thankful that your health is better than it
was last year. You may expect me to-morrow about 12 o'clock.