[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her husband Littleton D. Teackle, November 17, 1807]
Mentioned in this letter
- Education, Religion, Literacy, and Culture
Philosophy- Home, Health, and Social Life
- Health - Pregnancy
Northampton 17th Nov, 1807
My dear Mr Teackle,
You will no doubt be surprised to see my date still from this place. The fact is our horse is yet lame, or rather has been so untill yesterday when I rode as far as Doctor Winder’s. I hope from this trial I may be able by the 19th Inst to set out homeward. When by making easy stages, I hope he will perform the journey with out material injury to himself.
The last post brought me a letter from you which to my infinite surprise mentions your never having receiv’d one letter from me during your absence. I cannot bear that you shou’d think me so negligent, even for a moment, although I know you must in time be undeceiv’d, as you will doubtless receive at least half a dozen letters from me by the
time you arrive at home, as has sometimes been the case with regard to yours written to me, which I had waited for, and so anxiously, and in vain expected from one post to another.
I have indeed been so kindly receiv’d and entertain’d by my friends here that I shou’d have been ungrateful not to have shewn my thanks in the satisfaction of my looks and manners. Had you been here too, our enjoyment wou’d have been perfect. Indeed, we have often wished for you. However, it has been a source of comfort to reflect that you have always shewn yourself to be enough of a Philosopher to separate with a judicious mind the good from the bad in the things of this world, enjoying with gratitude the former which serve to mitigate the chagrin you wou’d otherwise feel in the stings of the latter.
It has ever been my ambition to act up to the excellent system you have so kindly laid down to me in this simple uncomplicated position, viz. “Look ever to the bright side of the picture.” The truth is, (if we had but enough of gratitude to acknowledge it) the light is infinitely stronger than the shade in the grand picture of the world. I am at the same time conscious that this doctrine will be cavilled at by the dissatisfied, the ungrateful snarlers, amongst Heaven’s creatures.
Yesterday Mr. Bowdoin mention’d that a Mr. James Johnson told him that he had seen a schooner homeward bound from the W. Indies bearing the description of our P. Anne in the great Wicomico. The crew and captain also answered the description, although they wou’d not tell him anything about
her. I am extremely anxious to be at home and shall certainly use every exertion I can to be there as soon as possible.
I wrote you a few days since by Mr R. Taylor who promised to put my letter in the W. Shore mail. I have written regularly by every boat since you left home except the very first after your departure.
My little girl is well and they do say that my ladyship is really fat. I hope you may think so. I want you to comfort me, they all do so laugh at me — even in my best trim.
Mrs. Grace Eyre has produced another fine boy, during the last night’s snow. Mrs. Comfort Winder is in full sail with a good cargo, livestock. I am not even so much as thinking of taking in a load. If you should still be in W. present
[end of letter missing]