University of Virginia Library

I fancy you at the Powhatan
to night and I hope that instead of one letter you
will get two from me, there must be some irregular
-ity in the mails. I have never failed to write you
twice a week and you ought to have receivd a letter
before you left Richmond — for St. Julian — if you get
both letters you will acknowledge the recip't of them—
oh how delighted I should have been at an unespected
visit from you and I could not help feeling disappointed
that you thought of coming and did not do so but
I think you acted wisely — I know if you had consulted
your inclination alonethat you would have spent
your Christmas with us. You see I am not jealous
but I eny Pa his happiness— and hope you had a
pleasant trip— I am alone with no other company
than John and Juliet— M & V. are at their Grand
Pa's I am lonely enough but I was afraid to keep
Margaret at home least she should incur then
Grand Pa's displeasure, She told him that I would
be alone and it seem'd to fret him and I've linquis
-hed my claims at once, tho' reluctantly I aſsure you
they will be gone all week I expect Juliet tomorrow

or the next day I wrote to Father that I should keep
him here— Sandy Stuart writes that she was much admired
in Washington Staunton is very dull I never knew
it as much so as this season— Mr Hamilton
was here a few days ago Judge Baldwin examined
him and he is now at Judge Smith's will be
here tomorrow night— he has concluded to settle
in Lexington after a visit to Lynchburg—
he has many schemes to numerous to mention
in a letter thinks that he can keep house on
less than he can board for— which is 300
Dollars— they will beat me in management
if they do and hire servants— Mat will not be
down this winter——our servants are all hired
to the institutions Mary and Ann— we get 40 dolars
for it is the best home for them I think I did
not consult Ann;— I hold Joe at 120 dollars and
expect to get it— he remains at the hospital they
can't do without him and must pay for him—
John will bring the same— Beverly has not come
I expect him this week— Charlotte will be here
tomorrow— I never had as little anxiety about hiring
the servants— and never did better— Doct. Berkeley
has all this on his hands and no homes for them
yet— I was there today delivered your message—
but he did not say that you should get more
things I suppose he will write if he still
wants them—my groceries have not arrived yet—
I will write as soon as I get them—you would
laugh if you could take a peep at my table
with two plates and cups on it—me at the head
and John at the foot— doing like pa he says
he is very attentive to my wants and says if I
write you that he is a bad boy he will tane the
letters up. he wants to send you some ginger
cakes for a Christmaſ gift— Juliet says yet I want
to see my Pa—She wont forget you She improves
daily I think—they rise every morning before day light
and are as merry as crikets— the airtight stove
is the greatest comfort to us we manage it
better this winter and I could not do without it.
Some cold mornings I sit all day in the dining
room which is very comfortable the stove burns
much less wood than the fire place place did and
is much warmer—do write often devote all your
leisure moments to me this is asking very little—
when you have so few— I think of you all the
time. I will write you by Judge Baldwin
—
Sister Beverly says do send your love to her sometimes
I tell her that I cannot share your love with any
body— She thinks me very selfish.—