Poe Archive

Lauderdale
August 10, 1847

Dr. Sir,

You really have been to [sic] kind & attentive in the way of writing and giving me the news and my answers have invariably been to hurried and laconic—that I feel myself indebted to you at least one or two letters. I have been so unsuccessful in my correspondence with my other friends as Dr. Louis that I have become quite discouraged--tell cousin Martha that I shall try her next and see if it is possible to provoke an answer. I suppose I must excuse Aunt on the plea of indisposition and do reject most seriously to learn that she has [been] so much indisposed but trust that ere this she is again convelesant [convalescent] and my dear Uncle I hope he has escaped. I wish I could have shared with you all fateague of missing. I am told Aunt has indeed been very sick.

You speak of going with your family and the Doctors to Rock Island for a few weeks. Why do you not patronize Harrodsburg; it is a most desirable summer retreat and your Kentucky friends would be rejoiced to see you all. It is time you would find not many of them at home at this season. They are scattered about pretty much at the various watering places afforded within the limits of this state. A part of General Taylor’s family have gone to the old fashioned Blue Licks whither they have been regular visitors for the last forty years. Cousin James Taylor has gone with all of his family to some nearby discovered Elixir of Life in the shape of a spring called Esculapia Springs [Lewis County] -the water is chalebiate [chalybeate-spring water containing iron salts].

Mary Taylor will be married in the fall to a young South Carolinian, with the novel name of Jones. It is also rumered Jane Tibball is to marry a young gentleman of Cincinnati of the same name through a different family. Josephine is flourishing at the north--writes to her friends in the most exuberant spirits--advises every body to get married.

I am luxuriating in all the idleness of a country life—have declined going east until Oct. or Nov. and do not think that I could be tempted to stir out of the house farther than the big gate for the next months. Tell cousin Martha she has no idea how charming I look in chamber costume all day—the bare thought of going to a fashionable watering place and dressed up in grand toilell would be excruciating.

Mrs. Cox has been in Louisville in route to visit some of her relatives. Ms. McKinley took tea with her at Mrs. Trentons. I was in the city but did not know she was there, she only intended passing a few days and I suppose has gone. Fanny Thurston has left for Farragut Springs in company with her Father and also Miss Bell Churchill. Betty and [?] Pope and cousin Humbleton. Sam Thurston and the Guthries a large party from Louisville, thirty ladies left yesterday morning in the Frankfort Brat—for Harrodsburg among the member of passengers were Mr. and Mrs. George Collier of St. Louis—bound for the springs. Mr. C. injured what—under heavens I had learned my [?] on Broadway to Charley Collins for that he was erecting the most unsightly looking wall that could be concerned of that it would obscure anything that looked desirable about my premises that could only be intended for one of two things, either a pork packing establishing or hemp warehouse, and so far from improving or enhancing the value of my property—it would drive off every tenant I had. I told him that Mr. Collins was to have put up thirteen stores with dwellings above—they were I understood intended by him to be three stories in height. I have some curiosity to know what this house is for. I hope it is not to be used for any purpose that is injurious to my interests or to any way impair the present or future value and improvement of my prospects or be disagreeable to my tenants or to the neighborhood. Do pray let me hear from you at your earliest convenience. You will greatly oblige me in so doing.

Will you do me the favor to present me most affectionate to your wife and little girl. Also to Uncle & Aunt Farrar, to cousin Ben Busnee. James & little Sis—tell Ben to write me all the [?] of the day. I believe I told you before that Aunt Maria was halving [having] her vacation at Andalusia on the Delaware. She mentions the safe arrival of Mr. & Mrs. Campbell—Sincerely, your friend.

E. Ashley

Mary & Mr. McKinley desire their best res. and to yourself & wife, also to Uncle and Aunt Farrar and different members of their family—particularly Ben. Do not forget to remember me to John O’[Fal]? If he is still at the Dcts. I became very much attached to him.