Beautifully Dead
Chapter 07
A Foundation of Knowledge
Richmond, Virginia
August 25, 1859
Eleanor's fingers pressed precisely on the piano keys, Mendelssohn's notes filling the Caldwell parlor with technical perfection if not passion. Through the open door, she glimpsed her father in his study across the hall, bent over his desk with Dr. James Merriweather. Their hushed voices occasionally rose above her playing, fragments about "blood composition" and "remarkable resilience" reaching her ears.
She deliberately missed a note. Then another. The discord finally drew her father's attention.
"Eleanor? Is something troubling you with the piece?" Dr. Samuel Caldwell appeared in the doorway, silver-streaked hair catching the afternoon light.
"Not the music, Father." She closed the sheet music with a decisive motion. "Perhaps you might introduce me to your guest? We could all take tea."
Her father hesitated, exchanging glances with Dr. Merriweather, who now stood behind him—a tall, broad-shouldered man with intelligent eyes that seemed to evaluate everything they observed.
"Of course," her father acquiesced. "James, you remember my daughter."
Eleanor rose from the piano bench and crossed the Turkish carpet, extending her hand with deliberate formality. "Dr. Merriweather. A pleasure to see you again. I've been reading your monograph on capillary function."
Surprise flickered across Merriweather's face before he covered it with a courteous nod. "Miss Caldwell. You find time for medical literature between Mendelssohn and social obligations? Quite impressive."
"Mother always insisted intellectual pursuits should balance artistic ones." Eleanor gestured toward the portrait above the mantel—Elizabeth Caldwell née Barrett, painted two years before consumption claimed her. The woman's intelligent eyes seemed to follow their movements.
"Yes, your mother was..." Merriweather paused. "Exceptional."
Eleanor pulled the bell cord for tea, then moved toward her father's study. "I couldn't help overhearing mentions of research. Might I inquire about the subject?"
Dr. Caldwell removed his spectacles, polishing them with his handkerchief—his habitual gesture when uncomfortable. "Eleanor, these are professional matters."
"Professional matters conducted at sufficient volume to overcome Mendelssohn," she replied with a pointed smile, brushing past them into the study.
Medical volumes lay open on her father's desk. She recognized Gray's Anatomy, several journals, and a leather-bound volume of case notes in her father's precise handwriting. Beside them sat a stack of correspondence bearing Harvard Medical School's seal.
Merriweather stepped forward, subtly shifting his body to block her view of the papers. "Your father and I are documenting certain family lineages with unusual medical traits."
"Unusual how?" Eleanor asked, reaching for a brass-bound microscope on the side table. She adjusted the focus with practiced ease, demonstrating her familiarity with the instrument.
The two physicians exchanged glances. Her father sighed.
"James believes certain bloodlines show remarkable resilience to diseases," Dr. Caldwell finally said. "His observations seem to point towards New England families in particular."
"Fascinating." Eleanor picked up a journal, flipping pages until her father gently reclaimed it.
"The Methodist seminary exchange program is bringing a young Bostonian here next month," Merriweather said, watching her closely. "Thomas Everett. His family has... interesting characteristics."
She raised an eyebrow. "Am I to understand you wish to study this seminary student for medical peculiarities? Does he know?"
"Of course not," her father said quickly. "Bishop Williams has asked me to host him at church. Nothing more."
The maid arrived with tea, her entrance momentarily halting the conversation. As she poured, Eleanor studied Merriweather's expression. The physician had an intensity about him that bordered on unsettling.
Once the maid departed, Eleanor deliberately stirred her tea longer than necessary. "Will you attend the Fairchild plantation with Father this evening, Dr. Merriweather? The house servants have developed an unusual rash that's spreading to the family."
"You know of this case?" Merriweather's eyes sharpened with interest.
"Eleanor assists me in documenting symptoms," her father explained, his tone conveying pride despite his obvious discomfort at her directness. "She has a precise observational eye and steady hands for preparing solutions."
Merriweather set down his teacup. "Your daughter's medical knowledge is... uncommon for a young lady."
Eleanor merely smiled, turning toward her father's desk where a letter bearing an official seal lay partially visible beneath a medical journal. She lifted the journal slightly. "The Virginia Medical Authority? They're consulting you already?"
Her father moved quickly to slide the letter into a drawer. "Merely preliminary correspondence. Despite what the newspapers proclaim, Virginia hasn't even voted on secession."
"Yet preparations are underway nonetheless." Eleanor sipped her tea, watching them over the rim. "The Charleston Mercury grows more bellicose weekly."
"You read political journals as well?" Merriweather's tone held new respect.
"Eleanor maintains subscriptions to several publications," her father said, a hint of pride in his voice.
The grandfather clock in the hall chimed four. Eleanor rose, smoothing her skirts with practiced grace. "I should prepare for this evening's house call. Shall I bring the tincture of silver nitrate, Father?"
"Yes, and prepare a fresh batch of zinc oxide paste." Dr. Caldwell crossed to his medical cabinet, unlocking it with a small brass key. "You'll need to document the progression since our last visit."
Eleanor nodded, reaching for her notebook on the side table—a leather-bound volume filled with her precise handwriting and detailed sketches of symptoms, anatomical structures, and botanical specimens. She caught Merriweather studying it with evident interest.
"Your daughter's education appears quite thorough, Samuel," he observed. "Almost as if you've been training an assistant rather than a debutante."
"Eleanor's mother established a tradition of intellectual rigor in this household," her father replied, selecting bottles from the cabinet. "I merely continue what Elizabeth began."
A flash of something—understanding? calculation?—crossed Merriweather's face. "Should conflict come, medical expertise will be desperately needed. Even from... unconventional sources."
Eleanor paused at the study door. "You believe war is truly coming?"
"I believe in preparing for all possibilities." Merriweather's gaze moved from her to the portrait of her mother, then back. "I'm establishing a hospital facility in Richmond. When the time comes, should your father be called elsewhere, I would welcome your assistance."
"Me?" Eleanor kept her voice level despite her surprise. "Surely there are trained nurses—"
"With half your capability and twice their superstition." He gestured toward her notebook. "Minds like yours will be valuable when chaos comes, Miss Caldwell." *
She looked to her father, who nodded almost imperceptibly. His eyes conveyed what remained unspoken—an opportunity secured, a future protected, should the worst occur.
"I shall consider it, Dr. Merriweather." Eleanor tucked her notebook into her skirt pocket. "And I shall endeavor to be observant when Mr. Everett arrives next month. Though what medical curiosities a seminary student might present, I cannot imagine."
"Often the most remarkable specimens appear thoroughly ordinary at first glance," Merriweather replied with a slight smile. "That's why careful observation is essential."
As Eleanor left to prepare the medical supplies, she caught her reflection in the hallway mirror—her mother's cameo at her throat, the little brass key to her father's secondary medical cabinet tucked discreetly in her sleeve. She thought of the seminary student from Boston, wondering what qualities had drawn Dr. Merriweather's scientific scrutiny.
"I shall keep a detailed record of this Thomas Everett when he arrives," she murmured to herself, running a finger along the spine of her journal. Her father had taught her that proper scientific observation required documentation—meticulous, methodical, and without emotional clouding. She would approach this seminary student as she would any subject of study.
Little did she know that the moment she would meet Thomas Everett's gaze across the church pews, scientific detachment would prove far more difficult than anticipated.
Eleanor's Scientific Journal
Richmond, Virginia
August 30, 1859 Specimen Observation: Amanita Muscaria Decomposition
Day 14 of fungal decay observation. Specimen continues to liquefy at expected rate under controlled humidity (78%). Microscopic examination reveals significant mycelial transformation compared to Day 10 observations. Spore collection remains viable despite unusual coloration. Chemical reaction to silver nitrate solution indicates presence of compounds not identified in previous specimens. Father suggests possible soil composition variation as causative factor. Further testing required.
Father's colleague Dr. Heaton viewed the specimen today and expressed skepticism regarding our hypothesis of accelerated decomposition in certain soil types. His narrow-mindedness is disappointing but not unexpected. His recent monograph on fungal reproduction demonstrates a regrettable adherence to outdated taxonomic frameworks despite accumulating evidence to the contrary.
September 11, 1859 Subject Observation: Thomas James Everett (Boston)
Today I attended service with the express purpose of observing the visiting seminary student, as arranged with Father and Dr. Merriweather. I positioned myself strategically in the third pew on the right side, affording clear sight lines while remaining inconspicuous.
Initial physical assessment revealed no immediate abnormalities that might explain Dr. Merriweather's scientific interest. Subject appears approximately 26-28 years of age, above average height (est. 6'0"), with proportionate physique. Coloration unremarkable—medium brown hair, blue eyes of standard shade. No visible dermatological peculiarities or structural anomalies in facial features. Hands displayed no tremors or unusual characteristics during hymnal handling.
My observation was compromised when subject noticed my scrutiny during the opening hymn. Most vexing—I had intended to maintain scientific anonymity. Professional embarrassment prompted an automatic social smile (regrettable breach of observational protocol). The subject appeared to misinterpret this as invitation for further attention.
Throughout the service, he continued to glance in my direction with unwarranted frequency. I maintained periodic eye contact solely to monitor his reactions, though this likely reinforced his apparent misconception of mutual interest. Note for future observation: develop less conspicuous monitoring techniques.
His attentiveness during Reverend Halloway's sermon (on Wesley's doctrine of sanctification) revealed respectable intellectual engagement, though hardly the extraordinary qualities Dr. Merriweather's interest had led me to expect. Subject's posture and facial expressions displayed standard indicators of theological contemplation. I noted his subtle reactions when Reverend Halloway addressed denominational positions on certain social matters—possibly indicating personal reservations about established doctrine**. This merits further investigation.
Following service, I repositioned to the oak tree with my copy of Wesley's sermons to continue observation from a distance. Contrary to prediction, subject approached directly rather than remaining with church elders. This unexpected behavior pattern suggests either social boldness or specific interest in expanding his acquaintance beyond church officials.
His knowledge of Wesley's writings proved adequate, particularly his interpretation of the "Catholic Spirit" sermon. While intellectually sound, his theological perspectives appear unremarkable compared to other seminary graduates I have encountered through Father's ecclesiastical connections.
When he requested permission to call during his Richmond visit, I granted it despite seeing no particular scientific value in further interaction. This decision was made primarily to maintain my cover as a typical churchgoer and to avoid drawing attention to my observational purpose. Father's research arrangement with Dr. Merriweather necessitates continued cooperation.
I remain puzzled regarding what specific traits in the Everett lineage have prompted such scientific interest from Dr. Merriweather. Physical examination reveals no obvious anomalies, and intellectual assessment suggests above-average but not extraordinary capabilities. Perhaps the traits in question are physiological in nature and not externally observable.
Tomorrow's scheduled visit should provide opportunity for more thorough assessment. Father has suggested I guide Mr. Everett through Mother's botanical garden, which should allow for observation under varied conversational conditions without the constraints of church propriety.
Note: Maintain stricter observational discretion during future interactions. Subject appears prone to misinterpreting social courtesy as personal interest. This misconception, while scientifically irrelevant, may complicate objective documentation if not managed properly.
Author's Notes:
* While Eleanor's scientific education would have been highly unusual for women in the 1850s-60s, it wasn't entirely without precedent. A small number of elite families, particularly those with connections to medical or academic communities, sometimes provided daughters with advanced education in natural sciences. This was more common in the North, but even in Southern states, certain progressive households allowed daughters access to scientific texts and informal training—typically under a father's or brother's guidance. Elizabeth Blackwell had already become the first woman to receive an M.D. in the United States in 1849, inspiring a few families to nurture similar intellectual aspirations in their daughters, albeit usually without professional expectations.
** The "denominational positions on certain social matters" refers primarily to slavery, which had caused the official split of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1844. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South was formed specifically to maintain biblical justifications for slavery, while the Northern Methodist church increasingly embraced abolitionist positions. Seminary students from Boston (like Thomas) would typically hold anti-slavery views, potentially causing discomfort during Southern sermons that defended the institution. Eleanor's note about Thomas's "subtle reactions" indicates she observed his discomfort when Reverend Halloway included pro-slavery theological arguments in his sermon—a common feature of Southern Methodist preaching during this period.
© 2025 E.M. di V. - writing as Morgan A. Drake & Joe Gillis. All rights reserved.