University of Virginia Library

I have been
wanting to write to you ever so long, but
will not take up limited time and space
with uninteresting excuses. I have simply
overburdened myself, and have to cry
"Mea Culpa!" in regard to many,
many omissions of duty. I know you
will be glad to hear that I got old
Mr Cummings again at work upon
our sections in the cemetery & it
looks so neat and clean, walks
all around it, included, that I
only wish you could see it before
the summer drought spoils everything.
Of course I had to resow grass seed,
for it just seems as if grass will not
retain its hold there, on account of

too much shade and the inevitable
summer droughts.

As to the great matter and trouble
to us all of Mr Thornton's resigning
the chairmanship Mr Smith and I,
as usual, were the last to hear of it.
We were both so shocked, so appalled
you may say, knowing how hardly so
large and expensive a family as yours
would feel the deprivation of a whole
quarter of one's salary to be. But then to
persons of high and noble feelings like
yourself yourselves, that was not the worst part
but the consciousness of being misunder-
stood by those who should know you
better, is the bitter part, and worse
yet slandered and falsely accused —
But just let me tell you right here,
I think you must be mistaken as
to this being done to the extent you
think or fear. For the Kents no more
than ourselves, have heard one dis-
respectful or complaining word of
your dear husband all the session

through. Do you know Mrs. Cochrane
sitting by me at the Opera House April 27
was the first person outside the family
to tell me of Mr Thornton's resigna-
tion & your letter to Rosalie came
the same day confirming the news.
The more I think of it, though, the
more, I believe, it will be only a tem-
porary cloud to pass away very quickly
to make the sun shine all the brighter
afterwards. Much will depend upon
yourselves my dear Sister. It is a
time calling for the exercise of the
greatest wisdom and discretion —
Mr Thornton is doing beautifully, looking
bright and cheerful, manifesting the
same interest as ever in University
plans and prospects. Col. Randolph
met Mr Smith accidentally & told
him of Mr Thornton's resignation
& Mr Smith told him up and down
that the Board would repent
of it, that his place could
not be supplied. Above everything
breathe not a word of ensuent poverty,
your policy certainly is to let the
world think the truth that Mr Thornton
was very tired of an onerous, responsible
post and was glad to devote himself
to his more congenial studies. The min-
ute you complain of small salary, people
will say "We have to live on it." &
not a creature will be sorry. But if
you bravely and unmurmuringly submit
to the emergency as it stands— people
with good heads will secretly sympa-
thize & my confident belief is, he
will be enabled to resume his
duties, if he wishes it, with greater
éclat than ever before a year is out.— But who likes
advice. In giving this, I follow that rule to
"do as I would be done by"
and now is the time to act
the difficult role indicated above, but that is
my view of the case. And if
an older sister will not give what
poor council she can, of what
worth is she?

This is a troublous world, but when all
contrarieties are borne patiently in a
spirit of submission to the Divine will
they much redound to our best good.
I dreamed that I saw you looking
so well, coming in all unexpectedly
and was overjoyed. Like Schiller's
hero in the "Song of the Bell", after
he has been burnt out of house & home,
he comforts himself, as you may do:

We shall all be so delighted to
see you, the girls and dear little
Edward, that we shall rise super-
ior to secondary causes of annoyance.
If we keep united as a family, we
are a pretty strong band here.
not made so by any of our contrivance
either, and if we persistently pray for
instead of hating our enemies, they
cannot do us any real harm. Your
lilacs bloomed beautifully I hear &
we shall have showers of roses in
the least while. Willie thinks Mary's
case has been neglected, but believes
he can cure her. What a blessing!
Dr. Harrison (J.C) continues to pay
Rosalie devoted attention, and she
seems to like him better than any
one who has done the same before.
This is before breakfast & I am writing
while the others sleep. With ever so much
love from us all & praying that God's blessing
may transmute every ill to good.