
          The "old gentleman" (Mr. Carey) was most affectionately enquired 
 after. Indeed Miss Nancy is perfectly in love with him and 
 sacredly keeps the sperm-candle-end he gave her as a relic.
 She gave me a most amusing account of the wonderment 
 which our visit caused. To it she attributes the advantages 
 they now enjoy both for religious and secular instruction. 
 For we found a young episcopal clergyman sent by the Bishop
 resident in the neighborhood, where he has spent already almost 
 a year, a perfect hermit, so far as civilized society goes. 
 Yet he is busily occupied, and nearly contented, has built a 
 little Cabin in full view of the Gothic Grandfather, 
 and I hope is doing much good. He accompanied us to the 
 mountain, but did not remain over night in our encampment, 
 having a distant service on Saturday. His name is 
 Prout. Mrs. Torrey will remember something about 
 his history which will in part account for his willingness 
 to spend a few years in this solitary region. I had hoped 
 to hear him preach on the Sunday we passed at the 
 Moodys on our return from the mountain; but he 
 preached at a station 10 miles off. 


 Monday & Tuesday, Crossed the Blue ridge, descended
 John's River, and went to [added: near] the base of Table Mountain.
 Wednesday, ascended it. Was fortunate enough to get
 Hudsonia montana, specimens & roots; also a few roots
 of Thermopsis fraxinifolia. While digging one of these
 near the base of the mountain, struck upon a little
 clump of Schweinitzia, half buried in the leaves, 5 or
 6 specimens: but a long hunt furnished no more.
 Thursday. Crossed Linville R. [River] in sight of the North Cove 
 (Michaux's old residence) and went to Carson's on the
 Catawba. We lost a shoe from our black horse
 while descending the Blue Ridge, and wore his hoof so 
 as to lame him severly. Obliged to leave him at
 Parsons (as we could not exchange him to advantage and

        