And as the weary travel ceased the sun arose in splendour
And sure he looked towards the East where dwells his lady tender.
He blessed the East he blessed the mother (methinks 'twas midday yonder).
That saw his gentle Lady born -----
And O me! I couldn't finish the rhyme haven't I had 10 visitors? And isn't it post time now and musn't I put up with a kind kind greeting to mes bonnes sœurs.
Mobile. Alabama. [ 1856.]
A welcome letter of Feb. 1 reaches me on the 29th. after such a dreary weary half dozen journeys from Savannah--to Macon 10 hours 200 miles through pine flats--3 days there and only 170 dollars for my trouble --to Columbus 100 miles in 8 hours through pine flats; to Montgomery 100 miles 7 more hours, and 100 miles more pine flats, and from Montgomery down the Alabama River to this place--where I have got into such a nice hotel into such a beautiful room, have had such a comfortable warm bath and read over a clean breakfast such a comferable letter from my women. I think sometimes of writing descriptive letters with remarks on the scenery and illustrations --but I have not the face for that kind of conversation with my family. The dreariness of this country, everywhere, almost consumes me--there is nothing to draw--one sketch I made on the river yesterday--o what a dismal scene!!
This is what you see day after day--but the stink and the dirt, the foul glasses, the dingy shirts (many of them with grand diamond brooches making a sunshine in those shady places) the peeps of flannel, the
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