him to all her relations. Laura will have a little something; so there
could be nothing better. We are naturally delighted. But what a pity
Laura is not a little taller--about Fanny's height; and as I was looking
at Fanny the other day, I thought how sorry I was for Mr. Whitloe that
Laura was not just a little prettier. She has _such_ a nose; and then her
complexion! However, my dear Abel of course cares nothing about such
things, and, I have no doubt, is wickedly laughing at his mamma at this
very moment for scribbling him such a long, rambling letter. What is Miss
Wayne's first name? Is she fair or brunette? Don't forget to write me all
you know. I am going to Saratoga in a few days--I think Fanny ought to
drink the waters. I told Dr. Lush I was perfectly sure of it; so he told
your father, and he has consented.

"Do you remember Mrs. Plumer, the large, handsome woman from New Orleans,
whom you saw when we dined at your Uncle Magot's last summer? She has
come on, and will be at the Spring this year. I am told Mr. Plumer is a
very large planter--the largest, some people say, in the country. Their
oldest daughter, Grace is as school in town. She is only fourteen, I
believe. What an heiress she will be! The Moultries, from South Carolina,
will be there too, I suppose. By-the-by, now old is Sligo Moultrie? Then
there are some of those rich Havana people coming. What diamonds they
wear! It will be very pleasant at the Springs; and I hope the little
visit will do Fanny good. Dr. Maundy is giving us a series of sermons
upon the different kinds of wood used in building Solomon's Temple. They
are very interesting; and he has such a flow of beautiful words and such
wavy gestures, and he looks so gentlemanly in the pulpit, that I have no
doubt he does a great deal of good. The church is always full. Your Uncle
Lawrence has been to hear a preacher from Boston, by the name of
Channing, and is very much pleased. Have you ever heard him? It seems he
is very famous in his own sect, who are infidels, or deists, or