[Letter from Elizabeth Ann Upshur Teackle to her cousin, Sarah Ann Waters Dennis, February 25, 1831]

25 February Eyre Hall 1831

My dear cousin,

I am about to give you a peep into the present transactions at Eyre Hall, with a touch of our dramatis personae, but above all, I wish to unveil to you the warm feelings of my heart, towards your dear self, Sarah. I think of and love you a great deal and how deeply do we both sympathize in the afflictions which have befallen those friends whom we have both loved so long and ardently. My heart is not attuned to merriment just now, and I have declined joining the festive crowd: neither mother nor myself, were at a grand rout given last night at Eyre Ville, in honor of the newly married pair, dear Margaret and Mr. Taylor.¹

To night they have all gone to a dashing fete at Kendal Grove. They entertain delightfully at both places. We do not intend being in any of the gay scenes produced at this time, on account of the affliction in the Beckford family. Poor cousin Littleton! How much have I felt upon the occasion of his death. I have dreampt of himself and dear Susan by night and thought of them by day. Miss Seymour was there at the wedding and told me that she heard Susan was deeply grieved. We were all chagrined that Elizabeth Dennis could not make one of those actors in the gory sports that are constantly going forward. She would have been in the center at this house, the bride and groom being here and their attendants here and at Eyre Ville.

I had some pride in showing so sweet and beautiful a relation to the lovely belles and charming beaux, from the opposite shore, and to the large parties assembled in every direction, to felicitate the newly made couple. E. would have loved the three sweet girls from Norfolk, in behalf of their inward and outward graces. Their manners are, at once, polished and simple. Dear little Nannie would have

“jump’d with her humor”; she is so pretty and sportive and of like age with my cousin. I think the beaux would have been worthy also of her attention. Mr Almond is arch and witty. Mr. Robert Taylor mild and interesting; but Mr. Walter Taylor would be the man for Liz. He is so handsome and the image of Carey Handsford, and as modest as a girl. He is said to evince many proofs of genius although yet extremely young. Gen. Taylor is my favorite. I never saw a more exquisite gentlemen nor a more attractive a being: I have always found him thus and have often exclaimed, within myself, “would that heaven had made me such a man!” I should, ere this, have given you some account of the marriage: all was splendid--everyone looked their best and happiest. I joined in the dancing and seemed gay, but the scene before me, and the recollection of our late loss were sufficient to throw a damp on my spirits. “Mirth cannot move the soul in agony.”I was, as I have, some where, seen so beautifully expressed, like the mummy enshrined in its balmy shroud. The nucleus was cold and dead unmoved by the exquisite attractions which surrounded it.

Indeed, if the bride had been one less of deep interest to me, the pageant might have at least amused me, but I am bound to her with a sister’s love, and so important a change under however favorable auspices, as she has just experienced, could not fail to call forth all my feeling. The dear girl’s conduct was calculated greatly to increase it. I never saw so much agitation nor so unaffected a display of feeling upon such an occasion. No tears, nor tremors, but an expression of countenance denoting how deeply she was impressed with the important change which matrimony produces in our fate. The groom, likewise, supported himself well, yet pronounced the vows in a faltering and agitated tone. I will hasten from a recital calculated to reveal my unpleasant sensations. There has been

much taste evinced by the dresses of the ladies, in the festive circles. I speak more particularly of those who go from here. Tonight, the ladies were beautifully attired in various colors. Miss Fowl like a sweet little blue bird. They are in season, you know.

Last night, the bride sported a rich set of amethyst and pearl presented by the generous bridegroom since his marriage; it could not have cost less than $300 perhaps. The set was so full.

It is late, and I must bid you goodnight. It will be a sweet time before the party at K Grove, will have the pleasures arising from downy pillows and the soft approaches of Somnus. Not so with myself. Farewell until tomorrow.

26^th

Good Morrow my cousin! I will just add a few remarks by way of conclusion. How distressed we were to learn that uncle Littleton had been ill and that your sister has been a severe sufferer from indisposition. Your own want of health is a subject of deep solicitude. There is one comfort attending yet, however, your “sufferings” are not like Betty Brown’s, and were you here, there be, with us several that might well sympathize and some novices.

I hear a letter is somewhere deposited for me from Elizabeth Dennis. I hope it will soon come to hand. In the meantime, it rests a matter of pleasing anticipation. Mrs General Taylor has provided for a large party from the Eastern Shore. I do not know how many of Mag’s friends will accompany her; mother and myself may probably go to Norfolk with her, on our way to Baltimore, father having politely written us to be there in all the month of March and we only await for further orders which he promised to send, in a few days. Gen. T has politely offered us his house, during the short stay we shall make in passing and Mrs. Doctor Tirrell, who is here, makes the same request, that we stay with her, declaring that her house affords fine, unoccupied, chambers. Doctor T did not come with her. I want to see him, I hear he is a clever fellow. Emily plays and sings sweetly as ever, and melted me with the “Banks of Allan Water.”