[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle, April 4, 1819]

Sunday. Ap^l. 4^th 1819 P. Anne

Here I am, Madam, as large as life writing but not ready to answer your several charges. To turn up all in reply, (if I am to do it to-night, or in a month of Sundays) I must notice your observations in a summary way. So then to be brief I deny every one of them initially. What! you will have me to give up my favorite character of Nick Bottom¹ to represent that innocent and most respectable culprit Crab², the amiable and polished Dog of Master Launce, who though found guilty of sundry offences, was, like myself, in intention, innocent of them all. Moreover as a natural weakness forced Crab, my charming original, to violate the laws of good breeding, so a natural weakness - (of my eyes) - has compelled me to incur your angust displeasure and if you will consent to view my case in this palliating light. I can't say but I wou'd just as "leave be" as not "to be" the unworthy representative of a Dog of such high lineage and immortal fame. So then Crab let it be. No longer Nick Bottom, bottom'd on the basless fabrick of an ill form'd vision. Observe, as I am oblig'd to confess that I am a creature of no matter

I must be immaterial and, ergo, I am a [torn page] and as visionary and light as one in all respects. This brings me nearer to Crab, for he is a visionary Dog also.

Now I am wasting eyesight! Both your's and my own, when I have so very many things to tell you. I shall not be able to say half tonight, for I see just clearly enough to find out that my poor eyes are already failing. I pity you my dear. You will lose a great many good things: but I will endeavour to make it up to you in future.

I have been almost constantly in company since you left me: first the wedding, then a trip to Snow Hill, yesterday a visit to my Virginia friends on Back Creek, and thence to Mr L. Dennis' from which place I have but now returned to be delighted with the receipt of your letter, which cousin Peter left in Town when he pass'd, so I miss'd it untill today. Cousin Parker, and Miss Susan Bowdoin have promised to dine with us on Thursday. Wou'd that you were here also my beloved friends! All these visits (with one to Mrs. Murray) have kept me pretty well emplo'yd with intervening company at home

[torn page] this wou'd not have prevented me from writing to you if my eyes had been well. E'th must make me her own apology which she will do soon.

Your letter has made me laugh, and I will, as soon as I am able, make you laugh again. What a misfortune it is to have one's eyes so bad! And yet, how much worse might it have been. I have receiv'd another letter from poor Campbell since I saw you. He begins to feel the importance I am of to him, and writes beseechingly, for another letter. I shou'd be sorry to give him up as a correspondent and much more as a friend. Therefore, I shall not take many more airs on, [illegible] write as soon as I am able. You see that I am unable to write, and you will not send me fewer letters because I am "unfortunate - not criminal."

When I went to Back Creek yesterday we were obliged to turn your acquaintance Mr. Robinson once more out of the house. I told him that I wished him to write critical notes to a very beautiful charade which I wish'd to send you. He brighten'd at the bare idea of rendering you any service, and declared he was however