FLORIAN - The Most Traveled Man on Earth

there also. <strong>The</strong> scenes so often repeated at Laytonstone have moved me even more. 70
<strong>The</strong> dear children who are so necessary to our happiness bind us still closer to each other,
and it seems to me that, were we to lose them, we would never more be able to enjoy
those beautiful sunsets.
I was obliged to lay aside my pen!! 71
I will return to things more gay. My children, for I keep coming back to them, are in
good health. Laura is with me. She sings, she plays the piano or the harp all day long,
and I hope it is not in vain. She is unfailingly gay, and she has done so much, that she
has dispelled the cloud of unhappiness which surrounded me since your departure and
since so many cares have come over me.
True, I know that you have arrived safely, and that if we do the same we have hopes of
seeing those happy days again.
Virginia also feels [resents?] the effects of the influence which Laura spreads through the
house. I am also very pleased with the progress she is making.
Azelie is also making a lot of progress at the piano. I leave it to them to describe the
balls to which I have taken them lately, going in my charge. I did not believe that I
should deprive them of a pleasure which nothing could replace for them, and my pleasure
was to enjoy their success, of which they had a good deal. Laura is 18 years old and
Virginia 16, and it seems to me that it was a good chance to introduce them into good
society.
I often receive letters from Eliza, who writes as if she were twenty years old. She has
learned to ride horseback, and she takes ten mile rides without getting tired. <strong>The</strong>y always
treat her well and they do not let her waste her time.
By the way, I almost forgot to tell you that Eugenie wanted to have one of your daughters
[live with her], but I could not agree, especially since I did not have your consent. I was
quite happy, I admit, to have such a good excuse to give. 72
I have bought Madame Abbot’s [Abbess’?] harp for 55 guineas. It has an excellent tone.
I told you of the good deal I am going to make with Ball for our piano, in which he will
give me one of his finest in exchange, plus ten guineas in addition.
I am noting down all the requests you have made to me for guns, shrubs, seed, etc., and
we will do our best. <strong>The</strong> money available will guide us. Be assured that all my wishes
are only for our reunion in New Orleans.
70
It seems very likely that the memories referred to here are described in the letter of March 3, 1809, under
the section of letters from Jean-Baptiste.
71
Marguerite was apparently overcome with emotion here, and had to stop writing.
72
This is clearly Eugenie Florian Jolly Duault (1768—after 1843), still in France, sister of Jean-Baptiste
Florian and aunt of the four Florian girls.
96