Tell Cousin Di I dreamed of her as was 20 years ago, a girl young and sprightly. My love to her family.

Edgewood, October 2, 1857

Dear Cousin Polly,

Yours of September 14^th. Came to hand late yesterday evening and afforded me no little pleasure, and though feeling all unstrung, I attempt a reply. I wished for what I called “an Old Woman’s Letter,” for the simple reason that such a one speaks of little things and familiar objects which always call to mind Home and family and the sweet delights of innocent childhood. Feel as young and cheerfull as you can – aye & thoughtful too, but when you write to me let it be an “Old woman’s letter,” though the heart feel as young and dance as lightly as at 15 – The heart may never grow old, but neglect and disappointment & ill treatment may crush it, but still in its depths are hidden thoughts – thoughts pure & bright, which like the fountain in the caverns of earth - - -

“Forever in loneliness flow

Yet their waters are as pure & bright

As if gushing along beneath blue sunny skies

They live an existence of light.”

You are rejoicing in a series of revivals. I feel that I can rejoice with you – it is good news. Oh how glad would I be if I could tell you that the moral desert around us had been made to blossom, - but alas! Lethargy seems to have settled down upon those who are called God’s people & who should be the salt of the earth. The watchmen are drowsy on the Towers. – The people are busy after much gain – Alas! Alas! We are I a sad state, neither hot nor cold. I pray God we may be warmed up with his love.

I thought you had forgotten all about that little girl - - I began to think it was not altogether a joke, & for the first time feel a curiosity to know who it can be.

You speak of sons and daughters of the Old Dominion. Her daughters are fair enough and make the best of wives and best of mothers, - as to her sons, there are none goodlier in all the land. I love my adopted state and my sunny home is beautiful, & comforts are accumulating around it, and I am more content and really happier than I ever was – yet, am I a Virginian still, ‘tis my pride – my birthright. Some poet has beautifully expressed the feeling of one far from home. I wish I could lay my hands upon it, but I give you the sentiment in prose. You will recollect the childish amusement of holding those large old conch shells to the ear when a sound not unlike the distant roar of the ocean is heard, so the poet says that the shell far removed from its home still sings of the sea. Still, “Dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood” and it used to be a cherished wish with me to revisit once more every spot familiar to my childhood, the well remembered scenes and dear old trees under whose boughs I sported, are painted in memories brightest colors. I know (I think I can say) I shall never, never see you again in the flesh, but thanks to God, through Christ Jesus, I hope to meet you in glorious home beyond the skies. Some deride the idea that we shall see each other in eternity, but is it not a blessed promise that we shall sit down in his Kingdom with Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob? – don’t you think we will know them? & if so, may we not know each other? Tis comfortable at least. I have not given you the reason why I shall not see you again this side of the grave. Disease has fastened upon me permanently, & day by day I feel I am gradually sinking to the tomb. My Mother (poor heart) hopes that I may yet recover - Papa can’t bear for me to mention it. I feel sure that I am in the last stages of Consumption, and that my end is at hand. So you see that I can’t come after that Virginia wife. It used to be the most cherished desire of my heart to have a home and a wife of my own. All my happiness, all my pleasure has ever been comprised in the home circle, but though surrounded by such a circle, yet there is a place in the affections which only a wife can fill. I sometimes feel sad to think that I shall go off the stage of action so early and before I had “made my mark,” yet I am not cast down for the Grace of God I can contemplate death without fear and thanks to Him for the mercy He extends to me daily. Tell cousin Julius it is a bad plan for a man to wait until he gets old before he marries. Tell him that there is a second crop of boys growing us with the second crop of girls who will speak for them long before he has an idea they think of marrying.

So cousin Hes is an “Old married woman,” as the young men say of the girls as soon as married. I hope she finds matrimony all she expects & that she will make as good a wife as her mother and aunts. Tis the best wish I can make her. I am glad that cousin Shell is comforted. Lizzie received a letter from cousin Mary last week. They were both well. She did not say anything about emigrating.

You speak of groceries. – what do you think about $16.00 per barrel for superfine flour? It gets that high here, though now it is $9.00. Its lowest price at any time is $8.00. Sugar and coffee are as cheap in Richmond as here – dry goods much cheaper. Year before last the cold weather destroyed almost the entire crop of cane & consequently none was ground last year. This year the drought will no doubt shorten the crop much. We have made enough for another year, (not of sugar, for it is not grown here, - but of corn and other things.)

Papa is still rheumatic – Mother’s health is not quite so good as usual. – She looks thin. Lizzy has been sick & is not entirely recovered. The other children are in fine health. Everard is a man – weights 148 – Kate is a large fat girl & Mary a little one with a mischievous look out of the corner of her eye. Merry as a - - - & the pet of us all. I had like not to have told you that a few of our young apple trees have perfect fruit this year & 5 years ago there was not a fruit tree on the land. Now we have peach trees 20 ft. high & in bearing 2 years ago. In fact I have seen seedlings perfect fruit the second year. The apples is a slower growth & no attention has heretofore been given them. I think they will do well.

We saved a little wheat which the frost & dry weather affected very much, yet it yielded about 15 bu. Per acre & weighs as high as 67 lbs. To the bu. We intend trying a little more this fall.

We expect Judge Reagan & family in a few days. I would not be at all surprised if Ben Turner was to drop in. He wrote that he might be along here about 1^st Oct. Mother had a letter from cousin Ann last week. All were as usual. I believe they wrote you. Our association commences today 18 miles from us. I do not think any of us can go. The State Convention (Grand Association) at Huntsville 35 mi. off commences 2 wks. from tomorrow.

Remember me to all friends – Love to all. Tell Aunt Sarah we think and talk much of her and hers.

Your Cousin,

Lucian