[December] 15 [1860]
It seems strange that we should be in the midst of a revolution so quiet, and plentiful, & corn for table up here. Everything goes on as usual, the planting, the negroes, all just the same; & a great Empire tumbling to pieces about us; and a great pressure in the money market in all parts of the country; westrange to say; were never so easy, and I hope thankful. Went yesterday to see Charlotte, Mrs Wayne, & Papa found the last at home, Charlotte had gone up to Mrs Barings on a visit. They think of purchasing a place in Buncomb and of Mrs B’s place. Mrs Wayne begged to be excused she was putting her garret to rights.
Charles is coming up to day on his way to Philadelphia to bring Mrs Britten & Elizabeth home. I have made up my mind now for E to remain until January and do not care for her to come before.—
We pass our evenings very pleasantly with music and reading & sewing & talking, the boys Lewis & John are agreeable. L belongs to a company in this parish and seems most anxious for a war, a restless young man: I do hope there will be no war, but a peaceful arrangement of our difficulties.—
Mr Aiken paid us a long morning visit waiting for some friends by the cars. Mr & Mrs James baby & nurse, she was a Miss Lowndes and he a rich New York beau, a funny time they take for their visit; but her Mother & father live on Santee in winter where he had a plantation they are all rich and high born. Mrs Robert Lowndes was a Miss Livingston the daughter of Mrs Maturin Livingston who was a Miss Lewis, the only child of Gen. Lewis who left a fortune of a Million which Mrs M. L. on her death divided equally among her 9 children giving thereby great satisfaction, to all of them. I recollect Mrs Robert Lowndes when she first came to Charleston as a bride, and a most beautiful bride, she was dressed in the highest fashion & taste & exceedingly refined and elegant looking.
Received a letter from Elizabeth today, she & her Aunt will leave Norwood [?] the 1 week in January it is very cold there now every thing covered with snow. –
An envelope came containing cards from Emma Watts & Lieut. Carr U.S.A. just married. When her father died nearly 2 years since the family had each 10 thousand dollars which is a very neat fortune and Emma although not beautiful is very sensible and amiable. It seems to me all the world are getting married except my children. I wish a suitable offer would come in Elizabeths way & that it would please her to accept it & that Berkley could find some nice girl with a little money to get married to. John will be obliged to resign & then he must try something else. – All this troubles me.