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Williamsburg April 27^th /66

You left this country My LIttle Darling exactly
at the wrong time; the warm weather has
caused the trees and bushes to put forth sweet
blossoms, and the whole landscape presents
a picturesque, and pleasing aspect to one
who loves the rarity of nature unadorned
by science : . Could you only transfer your
sweet self to D^r. Garrett's - this sunny spring
day would be well adapted, to a walk among
the wild fields, and dark shady woods, in
both of which the Old Peninsula is richly
[?]. I went out this morning about
sun-rise and revisited several places we loved -
the rustic seat for instance, and our spring
which murmured sadly, seeming to mourn
the absence of a lovely little visitor, who
once sat near its brink, and who blessed it
by drinking of its limped waters. This spot
is a favourate resort of mine when weary
of the tiresum regulations of society. And
when there

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soft dreams are mine Sweet Mary, in
which your lovely image frequently appears.

Your letter of the 24^th instant was
received Wednesday the 25^th, the perusal of
it I enjoyed intensely. I am very thankful
to hear that your time is spent pleasantly,
and that, an entertaining young man dwells
in your sisters house, but [?] I am
not at all surprised at your longing for
Old Williamsburg, although she lies
bleeding from the devestation of war, and
"mouldering amid the ruins of antiquity"
still amid these reeks and ruins of things
that were, a stranger might spend a
pleasant time, if she can could possibly be
satisfied with the hasty, gracious manners
of old Virginia gentility. Miss Mary I
am surprised that you suppose me the
insignifficant thing that would for a moment
become jealous of the attentions paid you by
another, it rather gives me pride to know
that one I love so dearly, receives her due
attention ; And should you in your travels

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meet one you love better than myself, it
would be infinitely preferable, to knowing
him after your marriage.

I am perfectly miserable - dark shadows
crowd like evil spirits around me, and make
me wish for a home in the cold and silent
grave, where the discords of others, and the
troubles of my life, may be blotted out
for-ever. It would be pleasant to be certain,
that one loved being on earth, would feel
sadness for the youth, whose greatest fault
on Earth, was his blind and heedless love
for a lady, who writes him word, that
she hopes he may succeed in a love
affair, with another lady, for whom
he hasent the slightest regard. Miss
Mary a callous serpent has wound himself
around my heart, cold as ice! - sluggish as
death! And the head of this serpent is armed
with a forked tongue, (which probably represents
Cupids dart) bloody & quivering in my heart.
I went to see Sottis[?] the other day, and dont
know when I shall go again ; tho

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recollection of happy moments & hours spent
there with you, came crowding with such
confusion & force, that I forgot where I was
and commenced dreaming. When Miss
Sottis[?] finished her toilet & came down, hearing
the little feet upon the steps, and believing
in My dream that my sweet-heart was
approaching: Who will blame me if, I
say, that deep disappointmen followed
lively expectation. Miss Sottis's[?] sweet face
drove my charming dream away, one formed
by a melancholy heart, and a brooding mind
with nothing but yourself to dwell upon.
[?] you are the "morning star of memory"
that paley glimmers in the west, whos
light shall guide me to goodness & Richmond.

Goodby Miss Mary, and may
your God bless you -
Yrs Affect^ly:
Geo: S. Vest.