is a somewhat rare combination of a refined gentleman, without much
education, but very well informed and wide awake, and a modest and
quiet industry with the most practical common sense. He is truly
interested in the negroes, without the least bit of sentimental or
ill-advised sympathy. He is very glad to come here and take charge,
and I think he is the best superintendent I have had here at all.

I saw some of the people who came about the house by chance during the
day, and who seemed truly glad to see me. They have got quite over
the land-fever, and say they prefer to work along as they have,
wherein they begin to show sense. Rose is still the only cook and does
very well, except that she sometimes bakes potatoes longer than she
boils hams, etc., etc. I suspect H. helps her put things together
somewhat. The Christmas tree was to have been last evening, but the
rain prevented. C. P. W. has gone up to bring down Mr. Eustis and his
two ladies to dine. The house being an elastic one, I suppose it can
be made to hold several more people than at present, if they will only
bring their own blankets. The old diet of sweet potatoes and hominy,
ham, fresh pork, and waffles, holds its sway yet, with grunnuts in the
evening, of course.

FROM H. W.

_Jan. 2._ At sunset we all adjourned to the cotton-house, where the
tree was all ready to be lighted. It was a very pretty sight, and
after we had let the children in I sent word that the grown people
might come and see, if they liked. Then, before anything was cut down,
the children sang a number of the songs I have taught them, standing
in classes, the smallest in front, their little eager faces
irresistibly comic. The older people soon filled up the building,
making rather a crowd, and a less manageable one than the children
alone; but they were pleased at the sight, and when the noise became
overpowering, I could stop it for the time being by starting a song,
which the children would instantly catch up. Then I let the children
sing some of their own songs in genuine, shouting style, a sight too
funny in the little things, but sad and disagreeable to me in the
grown people, who make it a religious act. It is impossible to
describe it--the children move round in a circle, backwards, or
sideways, with their feet and arms keeping energetic time, and their
whole bodies undergoing most extraordinary contortions, while they
sing at the top of their voices the refrain to some song s