mentions Uncle Rufus[17] and family in all of them. In her last but one she says Aunt King[18] was confined; she had dined there the Sunday before, and they requested her in a billet to bring yours and my Father’s profiles,[19] which I gave her some time before she went away. She carried them, and Uncle thought them good likenesses. She admires Uncle Rufus; she says when he first called on her he stayed two hours, but she could have talked with him _two_ days. In her last she says she was to have been introduced at court, but Aunt King’s confinement prevented; as soon as she gets out she is to be introduced. She says she shall write by the Minerva and send the fashions to me. Mr. Smith the Russian was here last week, bro’t me some letters. I am now writing to Martha, to send by William Weeks; ’twill be a fine opportunity, and I shall write as much as I can; he will probably see her. Mrs. Coffin will be delighted with such an opportunity. Don’t hurry home until you have staid as long as you wish, for I don’t know anything at present that requires your presence. I think I make a very good manager, and tell Sister Boyd I am astonished to find how I have improved in my housewife talents this last winter. The children won’t allow me absolute rule among them, but I have the worst of it; they do pretty well, considering what a young gay mistress they have. I sometimes get up to dance and all of them flock up to help me, and when I am tired I find it difficult to still them, so as I set the example I am obliged to put up with it. I have not been out of the yard since I came home till this afternoon. I rode a mile or two on horseback just to smell the fresh air. I never was more contented in my life; tho’ I have not seen anybody but Mr. Smith these 3 weeks almost, I have not had an hour hang heavily on me; ’tis charming to get home after being gone so long! I believe you will think I am never going to leave off. Your affectionate ELIZA. To Mrs. Mary King Southgate, Portland. Portland, March 18, 1801. Thank you for being so particular in your description of your eastern tour. I told you that Wiscassett would delight you; ease and sociability you know always please you. By the bye, Jewett thought _Saco_ was the land of milk and honey, such fine buxom girls! so easy and familiar. Dorcas Stour charmed him much, her haughty forbidding manners corresponded with the dignity of her sentiments, so he says, something congenial in their dispositions I think. But he has made his selection—Miss Weeks is handsome, censorious, animated, violent in her prejudices, genteel, impatient of contradiction, speaks her sentiments very freely, has many admirers and many enemies,—on the whole a pleasant companion amongst friends.—How think they will do together? Jewett you know.