er, to see how my oaks
grow, is it really so, or only one of your unripe
schemes. While 'tis in y^r head put it speedily
into execution.

Lappets were fashionable parts of the headdresses worn at that time even
by young girls, and one can read between her words that Eliza would have
enjoyed giving more time to the feminine diversion of embroidery or fine
sewing, much in vogue in that day, had her father approved of it. Then
with a quick change of mood she shows her real interest in planting a
"figg" orchard!--oh, many-sided Eliza!

There are numerous letters too long to include in this sketch, which
show the girl's religious, artistic and philosophical tendencies, and
through them all we feel the quiet poise of a mind at rest, of a spirit
in true harmony with the simplest pleasures of a simple life; and that
nature was always her first love, is shown by this letter:

Wont you laugh at me if I tell you I am so busy in
providing for Posterity I hardly allow myself time
to Eat or sleep and can but just snatch a minute
to write to you and a friend or two more.

I am making a large plantation of oaks w^{ch} I
look upon as my own property, whether my father
gives me the land or not, and therefore I design
many years hence when oaks are more valuable than
they are now, w^{ch} you know they will be when we
come to build fleets, I intend I say, 2 thirds of
the produce of my oaks for charrity, (I'll let you
know my scheme another time) and the other 3^d
for those that shall have the trouble of puting my
design in Execution; I suppose according to custom
you will show this to y^r Uncle and Aunt. 'She
is a good girl' says M^{rs} Pinckney, 'she is
never Idle and always means well'--'tell the
little Visionary,' says your Uncle, 'come to town
and partake of some of the amusements suitable to
her time of life,' pray tell him I think these so,
and what he may now think whims and projects may
turn out well by and by--out of many surely one
may hitt.

I promised to tell you when the mocking-bird began
to sing, the little warbler has done wonders; the
first time he opened his soft pipe this spring he
inspired me with the spirrit of Ryme