Margaret Smith Nicholas to Jane H. Nicholas Randolph
| My dear Jane | Jan 3d 1819 |
I am very sure that the eruption that had broken out on you was certainly the Measles. And I flatter myself that you have got through it very favorably. It was in that way they commenced with my Margaret, and she had them more favorably than any of the girls. I think too that your confiniment must have been a good preparative for them. I was very sure that my dear little Mary would be a great beauty. I hope in God that she, and our d sweet Patt, may keep well, until you, and Dolly get through it. after which, I should be glad that they should take it, as it is probable that we never again may have so favorable a kind, passing through the Country.
You will be surpris’d to hear that the girls have again coax’d me out of another dancing party. We had all the young ladies of the town last night, but no Married lady, except Betsy Norton. and not less than thirty gentlemen, It was a pretty good squees, but the evening Went off very pleasantly, every body appear’d to enjoy themselves excessively. Sarah, forgot she was an hostess, and danced every dance. She was in my eye, decidedly the handsomest girl in the room, and I can assure you there was no deficiency in beauty either, Margaret, wore her new dress that she recieved from Baltimore, it is a white crape, trimed very beautifully. Sarah, wore a book Muslin, trimed in the same manner, over white Sattins. And I think without partiality, they were the most tastily dress’d ladies in the Room. But I beg Miss Alexander’s pardon; she was certainly dress’d in a very superior style, altho a very singular one. She wore a lilack satin striped gause Poland robe, trimed with a beautiful spotted ermine, open before, and over a white satin. her head was dressed with a profusion of curls, and the most splendid comb that I ever saw, her figure was as singular as her dress. She is nearly as tall as your husband, and as slender as a lath. altogather she looked like a different race of beings, from the rest of the Company. You will wish to know, from whence this singular lady came. She is from the Northern-Neck, and has spent a great portion of her time with her Brother; in Baltimore. Sam Carr, and his wife, were invited to our party, but his Wife was indispos’d, and could not come. I was indeed, very much surprised to hear of Marthas Marriage. Altho I think it a very indecent thing in her to Marry her Cousin, so soon after the death of his Wife. Yet there is much to be said for her. poor thing, she was so completely destitute, without a home, and almost without a friend, at all events, I am sincerely rejoiced that she is Married, to so good, and respectable a man, I really flatter Myself that he will bring her to her senses, and make her what she is so capable of, a very fine Woman. I suppose his owning Carrsbrook was no small inducement. I hope she had discretion enough to have Carrsbrook settled on her.
Coln Randolph’s Waterman Call’d on me to day just as we were going to Breakfast, and it was snowing very hard. for my commands, he said he was going off immediately. so that I had not time to do more, than send the pot of raisins which had been prepared to go with Phill. having used one half of the cannister of Cramberries, I would not send it. but he promised to give me time, when he came down again. give my love to Jefferson and kiss the dear Babes.
I had nearly forgotten to make Wilsons Apology for not going to your house as he promis’d, he say’s that he received a letter from his Father, desiring him to come down, certainly by the first of Jan; And he believing that he had some important business to execute, did not fail. But we say, that the truth was, that he wished to be here. he got down the day before our party, which he pretended to regret very much, he begs to be rememberd, and flatters himself that you will forgive him. Your very Affectionate Mother.