Sue Tapscott and Mary Eskridge are at Stuarts still. No news of Add., but I saw Kate and Martha yesterday for the first time since you left. Hendren has taken a law office in the old frame building on Augusta street formerly occupied by the Deaf and Dumb pupils. Charles H. Lewis[22] has become the owner and editor of a newspaper published in Martinsburg and will soon leave here to make that town his permanent home. It is to be hoped that he will now give up poetry and enter on practical life. Poetry is too unprofitable for a man working for his daily bread. He will be much missed in Staunton, especially by the nest of singing birds of which he has always been a warbler of the first feather. [22] NOTE.--During the administration of President Grant appointed Minister Resident to Portugal. John Harman has returned from Texas and tells many strange stories of the rangers and life on the border. Cousin John R. Green has just written, giving us news of our Kentucky kin, who are generally _in status quo_. He says Bat is leading an idle life there, is, indeed, so lazy that he can't make love to his sweetheart, who, though she prefers Bat to other lovers, is about to accept the offer of another suitor, despairing of Bat's ever getting enough energy to propose! I have heard of lazy men before, but never one who filled this description. I received a letter from B. Gallagher on yesterday. He will make us a visit within a few weeks. Lieut. Getty[23] has removed his recruiting quarters to Lynchburg. I am sorry for it, as I have none of the ridiculous prejudices of some for West-Pointers, and like Getty very much. He is a sensible, well mannered, highly educated and companionable man and officer. It is said he is engaged to be married to Miss Elizabeth Stevenson. I have just complied, in a way, with father's request. [23] Afterwards Gen. Geo. W. Getty, U. S. A. I have only room to say good-bye. With love to Uncle and Aunt Lynn and all, including, if the word is permissible, Miss Lou Coleman, I am your affectionate brother, J. LEWIS PEYTON. JOHN H. PEYTON TO HIS DAUGHTERS, ANN AND MARY. Montgomery Hall, Dec. 9th, 1846. _My Dear Children_: