are bound to be. Miss Eliza, no longer called _Jane_, is
getting to be a little 'star girl,' as her Papa calls her;
she is just learning to walk, and says a good many words
quite plainly. You would never take her for the same little
_cry-baby_ of last summer, and she is a little beauty too--as
white as the driven snow, with the most beautiful blue eyes,
and long, dark lashes you ever saw. She will set _somebody_
crazy if she grows up to be as lovely as she now promises to
be. My dear good husband has been, like myself, run to death
this summer; but it agrees with him, and I never saw him
looking better. He has fallen off a little, which is a great
improvement, I think. He often speaks of you, and wonders if
you were sufficiently pleased with your visit last summer to
repeat it. I hope so, for we will always be glad to welcome
you to Rude's Hill, whenever you have time to come; provided,
of course, you have the wish also. Spot expects to hang out
his shingle in St. Louis next winter. His health is greatly
improved, though he is still very thin, and very, very much
like dear father. Mag has promised to teach a little cousin
of ours, who lives in Nelson County, until February, and will
leave here in two weeks to commence her labors. I hate to see
her leave, but she is bent on it, and our winters are so
unattractive that I do not like to insist on her shutting
herself up all winter with three old people. She will have
very pleasant society at Cousin Buller's, and will perhaps
spend the rest of the winter with Aunt Pris, if Uncle
Armistead remains in Binghampton, New York, as he talks of
doing. Do write to me before you get too busy with your fall
and winter work; I am so anxious to hear all your plans, and
about your stay in New York. By the by, I will have to
direct this to Washington, as I do not know your New York
address. I suppose your friends will forward it. If you are
going to remain any length of time in New York, send me your
address, and I will write again. * * I have somehow made out
a long letter, though there is not much in it, and I hope you
will do the same before long. _All_ send love.

"Yours affectionately,
"N. R. G. MEEM.

"My pen and ink are both so wretched that I fear you will
find some difficulty in making out this scratch; but _put on