Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

I have just received your letter, and have left off making the prettiest trimming that you ever saw to [. . .] answer it; I am making a trimming [. . .] for my plain book muslin, after one that [. . .] Margret has just received from Baltimore, I cannot describe it to you but, I assure you it is the prettiest thing that you ever saw; I wish you could see my bonnet, it is the most beautiful thing that ever was seen, although the tasteless creatures here pretend not to admire it, it is made after the fashion of the high land bonnet, it is made of red & black velvit checked like the scotch plad the top of the crown is of black velvit, projecting a little over the rest of the bonnet, looking Mrs R. says exactly like a pewter plate, though I must confess I do not see the likeness, the front is roaled up something like a turkish turban, so that it does not shade my face in the least, and to cap the climax it has three beautiful black feathers in it, which hang more gracefully than any thing you ever saw, one of them being rather longer than the rest lays very gracefully on my cheek¹ and is the most becoming thing in the world, as I walk along the streets people stop to look at it the whole town is mad about it, I do not know which is the most talked of my bonnet, or a speech miss Alexander made to Mr Gilmor the other night at Mr Leigh’s, There were several young ladies in the room among whom was miss A. & there were but two beaux Mr Gilmor & another young man and the two young gentlemen instead of talking to the ladies took their seats on the other side of the room and entered into a whispering coversation with the old gentlemen upon the bones of animals &c. &c. and did not speak a word to the ladies during the whole evening, when it was time to go miss A. got up and walked across the room, for her shawl which was behind Mr G. he begged to be allowed to put it on for her, she consented of course, but he was so dreadfully awkard that she was obliged to assist him, and she observed in doing so that it was very evident Mr Gilmor had been more accustomed to the walls of a college than to a parlour, they say their there never was any thing like the laugh that was raised at his expense and he appeared to be the most mortified creature that ever was seen, after the lady had left the room all the gentlemen went up to condole with him, but they could not get him to say a word, except that the next time he attempted to put on her shawl he would get a pitchfork.

I am delighted to hear that you will have the measles so slightly for I am sure that eruption will turn out to be the measles. We had heard the wonderful news before we received your letter, [. . .] and were as much delighted as surprised at it, for though it was certainly rather premature, yet it is such an excellent [. . .] match that we could not help feeling delighted that it had certannly taken place. I went to see aunt Norbone the other day, she informed me that she did not mean to go out at all this winter, she means to stay at home an nurse herself, and then she asked me why aunt Nicholas did not go to see her, I informed her that aunt Nicholas had just come to the same resolution with herself, that she had determined to stay at home and nurse herself, at which she seemed not a little surprised, she [. . .] looks just as well and hearty as I do, and I am sure she is too. Papa is giving a great dinner to day at which he [. . .] let us appear, and I am not sorry for it so [we?] are going to a great party at Major Gibbons to night, we are going to give one on saturday which I intend shall be very agreeable. We got a letter from sister C. yesterday but it is not worth sending as it is only about our bonnets & coats. Mama still continues quite well and so are all of us. kiss the children for me I wish I was there to help you to nurse them