It is a long time dearest Ellen since I wrote to you, or have written regularly; and I so seldom write to any one else, that although the list of my correspondents is an appalling one if they were at all particular with me yet they are mostly indulgent kind friends glad to hear from me when I can...

I have been so constantly employed in copying those manuscripts, my dearest sister, that I have not been able to write to mama or yourself, or indeed any of my beloved family; I have thought nevertheless incessantly of you. Mama’s spirits still seem to be bad, from her letters, worse even than...

my visit to Montpellier last week my dear sister prevented me from writing to you in regular turn as I should have done had I been at at home, I was sorry for it at the time but feel very well pleased at present to...

Yesterday evening Mr. & Mrs. Key came here after paying a visit at Tufton, and as they spent the day with us I have been obliged to defer writing to my Dear Sister until candle light, and the evenings being the time of my greatest indisposition I should scarcely...

I have only time to write you a few lines My dearest Ellen, to prevent a longer silence than usual and which might alarm you. I recieved Your letter last monday was a week, and would have answered it with in the same week, but the next mail mail brought one from Col. Peyton informing us of the...

Virginia was too unwell to write to you in her turn last sunday my dear sister and though she wished still to have written by some of the mails this week she continues so much indisposed and is so constantly suffering from nausea and disordered stomach that she finds it impossible. she desires me...

I have my hands so full at present, dear sister, that I can scarcely spare a half hour to write even to you, the duties of a housekeeper, of a milliner & mantua maker and the necessity of paying some neighbourhood visits before we are shut in for the winter, have made me a perfect drudge for...

Your last letter had ...

We have been such bad correspondents lately dear Ellen that I do not know whether any one but Virginia has written to you since George recieved his sailing orders, and she does not recollect whether she mentioned in it or not in her letter to you. poor fellow I parted with him the night before...

I am ashamed to have kept your letter 3 weeks unanswered dearest Ellen but it requires some time for me to get settled and to learn to do any thing in a family of such unweildy dimensions and where 6 of them are small enough with Jane’s management or rather want of management to cry & make a...