A Letter Written on Feb 1, 1870

MHS [letterhead embossment]

Seminary Feb 1st 1870.

Dear Cousin E.

Your letter which came to hand a week ago tonight was gladly received, and on this evening the first of the month I commence a reply[.] The wind is whistling finely round the window but I am comfortably situated, [sic] The church bell too is ringing for a lecture which is to be delivered tonight by a Mr Smith we have had permission to go but I do not feel disposed. I think there will be but few Sem. girls for it is so cold.

I had a letter from Ralph tonight and mother too, but hers ought to have come Saturday.

Last week I had to read a composition and now I am puzzling my brain for another subject. I have about "run ashore" and if that is the case now I don't know what it will be by and by I wish you would suggest some subjects and help me a little. supposing [sic] I take for a subject, "A Visit to Toppleton" you don't remember the time do you? I think I could discribe [sic] it a very little, but I am afraid they would not understand what it as well as I. It is good sleighing I should judge by seeing the sleighs go by but I cant have any good from it.

Last Sunday we saw a great fire f south from here and I see by the papers today it was Holyoke a very large building was burned causing a great loss.

I must tell you what we have to eat a part of the time, you know that is always a great theme for conversation here. Well, we have oysters nearly every Sunday morning, when we do not we have coffee. very [sic] often we have apples for second course at dinner. we [sic] have had oranges for supper three nights, they were presented by Mr Durant, they were quite a treat I assure you.

I think I shall go to Holyoke tomorrow if it is pleasant it will seem good to get away from here for a little while at least. but [sic] we have only a little longer to stay and then comes vacation of two weeks.

I am sorry you have colds I had one a while ago. the [sic] mumps have been visiting us but as I have had them I was in no danger of taking them.

There is a piano on this floor and one of the girls is seeing how much noise she can make I should judge, I hardly know h what I am writing at any rate so I guess I had better close.

If you can make out this confused mass of words you will do well, for I have written in great hurry.

Remember me to all, and write as soon as you can, to

Cousin Clara.

[A search through old newspaper accounts yielded a description of the destructive fire in Holyoke on Jan 30, 1870. Exchange and Hutchins blocks, two large four-story buildings, were destroyed in the fire. Eleven merchants, five doctors, two dentists, a photographer, and others were burned out.]