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Richmond. March 23d
                                1866
My Dear Lizzie
                Mamma has
just received you letter, & it
has given us all pleasure,
as much as we could feel, when
you are away from us.  We have
all missed you greatly, & surely
your ears must burn sometimes
for we talk of you at every meal,
and in between times too.  I heard
you "bustling" off that Wednesday
morning & would have run down
for one more "good bye" but saw
from the haste, that time was
precious & so contented myself
with listening at you.  Your Uncle
Hoge was none the worse for his
early run - only had more appe-
tite for his breakfast than usual.


Wednesday evening Col Carner &
Miss Celena arrived - a day earlier
than we expected.  They were so tired
they soon went to bed, & all [underscored] our
folks, except Bessie & myself
went to the Fair until eleven.
Even so her Dr Brinan came back
delighted with Mrs. Layne & her
excellent refreshments! All
this made Bessie & myself feel
lonesome - so last night we order-
ed a carriage & inviting Celena
& Mrs. Hoge to go with us we rode
down for a half hour & had quite
a pleasant time & I think it improv-
ed Bess.  Col Carner has gone on
to New York, & Celena expects to go
to Prince Edward on Monday for
a week.  Dr Hoge, for the present,
has given out the notion of going
to the Baltimore Fair - but I will
let him rest on the subject next
week, and then urge it again.  He

would be refreshed by the trip I
know.  I will just enclose you
a letter from Lilly, which I receiv-
ed yesterday.  Mary has no
doubt given you all family news
in detail.  But, I must tell you -
I did sit [underscored] & stand [underscored] yesterday for
photographs - the vignette was
miserable - had a real "Thursday
night look" - natural enough, but
too painful to keep.  The whole
figure was better, & I ordered
some to be printed, & will try
for another vignettte in a few
days.  Your Uncle Hoge says I
am too sick now.  My cough
has not abutted much.  Mr Brinan
expects to go to New Kent tomorrow.
The heavy rains to night seem as
if an [cyinnoctial?] storm had
begun.  What do you think?
Celena has purchased Miss Webbs
piano for $450. and tomorrow


it is to be packed & moved. Do
you not feel sorry for us?  We
will miss its very presence so
much. It had such a grand [underscored]
look.  Bess thinks she can never
play on the small one now.  I was
sorry you forgot your basket, it
would have given you some comfort-
But Bess can take you a sub-
stitute at least.  The springs is
always a difficult for old
house keepers to provide for their
households & young ones of course
need all the assistance that can be
given them.  Let us hear your
aunt Rebecca's plans.  When she
will be with you again &C.  Do
give my love to Hattie when you
write. All winter I intended to
write her a note in one of your letters.
Good bye - dear "bushy" - keep your
self busy & well - & one of the
girls will soon go down to see you.
Kindest regards to the Col-
Always your loving
                              Aunt Lizzie