[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her sister, Ann Upshur Eyre, October 29, 1813]

If I don’t envy you, split me! And that wou’d be taking me through the center downdwards from my head, going within an inch of the outside of my capacity. In reading your last list of dolours, I began to think of Addison’s celebrated paper on human evils; and heaven knows how gladly I wou’d have exchanged with you my “cucumbers” for your three turnips. Here am I after eating dinner enough for a log mauler (which bye the bye was [suggested] by the wit and fun of Major Carroll) with scarcely sufficient protuberance to make my back bone from knocking at the door of my stomach. Well! The freaks of nature are strange! She is a step mother to me to starve me so. Well! Never seem to mind it. I must not begin to complain since you have been admiring my vivifying animal spirits. I had call’d it Philosophy ‘till you taught me to correct my vanity by giving to my rant the former term. If I have avoided disbursing my blue devils¹ to you it was because I thought it carrying coals to Newcastle². Be assured I have always on large stock on hand, but from the dullness of demand seldom think it worth while to offer them in the market when I have any other commodity to chaffer³. My recent complain is my head---the whole host of devils seem to have invested it. I believe it is rather worse than yours ever was. Major

Jackson, who is a sort of quack as well as M___se, has recommended me to drink warm new milk in the morning. I see very little effect as yet from his prescription. This leads me to say that your heart may rest at ease this time on the subject of company so malapropos for your vegetating household. The Major tells me he shall not go down to the races. J. Wilson, who slept here last night, is going to Talbot with his lady, and the Colo. has withdrawn his horse from the purse. So that maybe he may not go, and I don't hear of any others who are going.

The flower roots came to hand so late that I thought it best to put them in the ground, in case no opportunity occur'd to send them to you, you wou'd probably lose them. If you wish it, I can send them now, when ever opp^ty offers, or if otherwise, I will send them next year when they will have increased. Don't think by this that I mean to chouse⁴ you of them. Nothing is further from my thoughts, I assure you. They are all number'd and named with sticks down denoting each kind, so that I can be sure to send you such as you may want. I had intended to give Eliza money to pay Miss Howell so that you need not trouble for this about the matter. There were 14 hyacinth roots and parrot tulips.

I wish to God you cou'd be with me in Mr. E's absence, but I hope it

will not be long before I see you.

I receiv’d a very agreeable letter of 6 sheets from Campbell a few days ago. He complains that you have forgotten him, and enquires for you. Mrs. Col. Hamilton (he says) inform’d him you were become quite a dashing lady. His letter is full of anecdote and amusement, and if it was not so voluminous, I wou’d send it to you. He enquires particularly for Mrs. Lyon, Mrs. Stratten, and all his former friends. I believe he has a grateful and good heart.

I shall, if nothing happens, go to Philadelphia in the Spring to take Elizabeth to school. I believe, though, I mention’d it before, wou’d to heaven you cou'd go with us!

With best love to Mr. Eyre
I am your affectionate sister
E.U.T.

29^th Oct. 13
I have enclosed you a sample of my merino yarn. I have some evener, but not so fine. I had it spun in Town here.

Mrs. Eyre

P Anne M^d
Nov^r 1^st

Free L. D. Teackle
P. Anne M^d

John Eyre, Esquire
Peachburg, Northampton County
Virginia

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