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Universitiy of Va Dec 13th 1854
Dear Wm
In my last letter I promised to write to you by the following mail. Why I did not do so I cannot say -- my best excuse is that I don't have much to do, as Mr. Minor is sick & has been for the last two or three weeks. He went on to New York about two weeks since to have an operation performed on his throat- He is expected back in about two weeks, but will not I fear be able to lecture for the next two months to come. We had a fair in Charlotttesville about a week ago -- one of the lamps
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burst and of course some of the ladies must faint, and so did some two or three.
Helm & another Student had a small fight-- Several pistols drawn; two or three hands full of hair pulled out; one or two black eyes, but nothing serious.
The Faculty suspend some two or three that were engaged in the fight for three months, (Dr. Harrison's son Edward was amongst the number) but on a petition from the Students they were all taken back.
A very beautiful young Lady from Orange Miss Burrkhead had been playing the wilds with the Students -- She has created more excitement than any young Lady that has ever been to Charlottes-
[in margin:] Remember me most affectionately to Miss Alexander
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ville, at least since I have been here.
She is young, quite intelligent & Strange to say rather unsophisticated -- Great wonder an unsophisticated "turned out" young Lady!
I expect you will not believe me but Wm, but such is nevertheless the fact -- It is right hard to belive I must confess.
I put them entirely through in the Jeff: Society about ago -- tremendous applause! I took town Helm considerably in one of his curls.
Charles Blackford has just left my room. He sends his love & says he wld: send a lock of his hair but that is too scarce.
He says however, when he gets married, that he will send you a lock of his wife's hair. -- I have my doubts about that.