University of Virginia Library

LETTER CLIV.

I wrote you a few lines on Sunday, directed to the
care of R. G., Manchester, with an earnest request to the
post-office not to send it to Winchester. The post-master,
(here,) a decent and attentive man, assured me that the mistake
did not originate with him; and I believe him. A tool
of the under spur leathers here, it seems, is established at
Alexandria, where the road "forks" to Winchester.

Since my last, I am somewhat, but not much, better. I
purpose taking up the line of march for Richmond, to-morrow;
where, perhaps, I shall arrive on the day that you
ought to receive this letter; and I should like to meet Spot,
to take me through the sloughs, and over the ruts and gullies,
between that place and Obslo. I shall go via Farmville
and Prince Edward Court.

The failure of wells, springs, &c., are not peculiar to our
country. It is general to the north; where Mr. K. tells me,
wells, &c., have failed totally, that have yielded a copious
supply of water, as far back as the memory of man can
reach.

I write these few lines in case of accident to my last. I
wish you could join me on the road. I shall stay but one
day in Richmond. I hope you ordered Quashia to apply
for the clover seed and plaster of Paris. Do not forget the

shrubs. Adieu! I look forward with joy to meeting you
again.