[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her sister, Ann Upshur Eyre - December 16, 1799]

Phila December 16^th 99

My dear girl

Your two letters which were intended to be sent by Hickman, I have just received from the penny post. The excuses you made for my apparent neglect were kind and sisterly. You are right. I never will neglect you whilst it is in my power to do otherwise. I did write to you two or three days after my arrival in P___, but I really think I directed my letter to S----. Thus my heedlessness amounts for you not having receiv’d my letter, and not any lack of regard. In it I gave you an account of all the male acquaintances I had then seen and I don’t think I said anything about Hollingsworth. I had not seen him, well, he call’d five or six times (by his own account) when I was out. At last he came one evening when my ladyship was at the Theatre.¹ He was determined to see me and so went there where he sat in our box all the evening. To be sure he look’d dismal. He had had the jaundice and was just recovering, his manners and prepossessing qualities are the powerful same. He enquired minutely after your health and seem’d pleas’d when I told him of your recovery. Ann, that fellow is

the very quintessence of correctness. I sing his praises in such a masterly style that some good gentlemen tell me I am inspired by love. E’en let them have it so, but you know my heart my dear girl. It is not H’s, but [my] own “free as air.” I was diverted the other night with the said lady and one Davis (you know him from Maryland). D__ is [ ] Democrat, H__ a gentleman. They began on politicks, introduced by D__ and I cou’d not help laughing to see how H confuted him on every point. I began to be afraid they would forget themselves and grow too warm, so I call’d them both to an account and wonder’d at their want of gallantry in talking on a subject unintelligible to me. I said I thought they knew very little how to please a female when they debarr’d her from partaking of her favorite amusement vis. talking. At this elegant and witty harangue they both laugh’d and thus ended my fears. I can perceive that ever since that evening D has disliked H – and truly if being as far superior to him as the sun is to the a candle can raise the envy of

D – poor H must lift the burthen of his most rancorous enmity. I plague Davis with praising Hollingsworth whenever I have an opportunity.

What do you think? J. Fisher has not been to see me yet! He knows I’m in town for I saw him at his father’s. Ben and I often meet in the street, he walk’d with me the other day, I’m sure 9 miles. I had your finest muslin in my hand carrying it to Mrs. Wright’s. He begg’d to carry the bundle and I gave it to him. Oh thought I! If you knew for what this muslin was design’d what wou’d you think? He prais’d it and ask’d me if I’d forgive him should he drop it in the mud. I told him ’twas not mine but that I was sure the lady for whom it was intended wou’d forgive him so slight an injury (and I again thought further) when she cou’d be so thankful for one which the world might esteem of so great import. My dear girl! How fortunate you have been.

I think you ought to love Ben for his kindness. Certainly he is a good fellow, but how unlike our dear, dear friend.

As to my journal, I have not had time to think of it, but I do expect to recollect all I’ve seen by the time I get home.

I must own I had some idea of Sally’s² intended marriage, give my sincerest congratulations to her. I am unaffectedly glad that she has accomplish’d the most important wish of her heart. May she enjoy all that prosperity can bestow. I was unfortunate not to be down time enough for the wedding, but I hope to be at home in time for one – ah! Ann, did not Sally’s situation make your heart beat? ____ I’m sure had it been me. But hush, I must tell you of the head dress fashions. As to having a cap, you must know they are only worn by old ladies. Artificial flowers, bandeaux, and anything light is worn through the hair in full dress, every thing quite flat to the head. They wear a kind of cap to fit close to the skull

You can have some made when you see mine if you like. I have bought you some superb muslin for that or any other purpose, these caps are worn in half dress.³ Wax beads are entirely out of fashion and cloaks are not worn. I have bought you a very clever shawl, and whole cargo of artificial flowers and silver turnings.

I intended when I began this blotted scrawl to have sent it by the post. Mr. Evans came in ere I had finish’d it and told me of the arrival of Capt. Justice. I then determin’d to send my box and letter to Virginia by him. Mr. E will send some things by him and advises me to have mine left at his house with them. All in the box belong to you except the scarlet cap. I chose rather to risk my own things by land carriage than yours as they were less liable to damage.

Tell Mrs. Whittington I have got the prettiest bonnet for her that cou’d be procured for the money. It is very much admired here, but ten to one if she’ll like it as it is in the height of the fashion. Your bonnet is greatly admired.

Aunt T and I have been worried to death getting the things made, and at last could not

get as many finish’d time enough for the vessel as we wish’d. Your elegant dress is now in the hands of Mrs. Wright. I shall take it down with mine. I carried earrings and drops to get them changed but the Jewellers honestly told me I cou’d not get the worth of them and advised me to keep them. Mrs T. thinks you had better wear them as they are very pretty.

I shall if nothing happens go to the next assembly which will be on Thursday week, you may suppose that evening I shall dance on sett for you. Dr. Otto has engaged me for the first dance. Gracious knows how I shall look and feel amongst so many strange people, simple enough I dare say.

Mrs. T, Miss S, Miss H, and Miss Nancy send their love to you. Nor do Sally and Hetty forget you.

Oh mature deliberation. I will send this by the stage – see how variable the weak resolve of women! However you’ll get it