Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

Virginia is doing so well my dear Nicholas that we could scarcely wish her better and I do not doubt that before the four weeks are over, if she continues to improve as she has done, she will be strong to enough to stand the fatigue of the removal to Edgehill perfectly, but we shall run no risks & do not mean to do anything out of the usual course. we discovered yesterday that the baby has the thrush and Mama is going to use the proper remedies immediately which are always successful I believe in making a cure. The servants all insist that the little fellow grows, but to me he appears still the mere atom that he was at his birth. he is not unhealthy though and not cross unless he has the colick, to which all infants are more or less liable. I cannot say much for the improvement that has taken place in his beauty and we were very near deciding this morning that he has a mark on the tip of his nose but mama says it is only a little mark which looks sometimes white with cold & sometimes red with chap and that the nose will be a very decent one & nowise remarkable when it has grown into its proper shape which in due time it will do. Pat has been sick with a bad cold but is getting better. She sits at table with us & behaves extremely well. She is so reasonable that there is no difficulty in restricting her to such things as we think proper for her, indeed she seldom asks for anything & when she does, is very generally satisfied with being told it is not good for her. She very often sits down & scribble over a piece of paper with a pencil & says she is writing to “dear father” when I asked her just now what message she would send you, she said “tell him I must kiss him & I will come to see him leckly” she is very fond of “little brother” and pronounces the words in speaking to him, in the softest most caressing tones you can imagine—we have had unusually severe weather for November. yesterday morning the ground was covered with snow when we got up and it continued to snow for several hours after, the thermometer stood at 30 32° then & has fallen two degrees since, but mama thinks judging by our feelings, & appearances without, that it must in reality have been colder than was indicated by our thermometer. I do not know whether Mr Davis had lost his little boy (the infant) before you went away. we heard it last Sunday from Col Carr. who called on us in company with brother Jeff. & George Hollins. I have no news tell you dear Nicholas in addition to my report of health which I know is the most acceptable news I could give you. how much I wish you were here to see and judge for yourself. Virginia says she should feel so happy at having gotten over her great trouble so easily if you were only with her, but I hope she has that happiness in store against Christmas. Oh I had forgotten or did Cornelia tell you that Ben has returned from his tour through the lower counties without success?

Mrs. Trist continues as usual. all join in love to you & for myself believe me dear Nicholas ever your affectionate friend & Sister