Southamton [sic] Feb 26th 1846My Dear Friend Harriette
I am at last seated to write to you, although I have nothing very interesting to communicate but if I have only one object that is enough if so be it is a good one, which will induce me to write this one is to send you a memento of my affection if this may be so called and I think if anything is such a token among absent friends it is a letter although the style may not be as polished as some, yet we generally or at least I do when I recieve [sic] a letter from an absent friend receive it as a token of their kind regards. Dear friend will you not recieve [sic] mine in the same light although it is totally unworthy of any such a title yet it carries with it feelings of pure love and many good wishes.
Both of your kind letters were duly recieved [sic] and joyfully perused over and over again
I am now seated in a schoolroom surrounded by many lads and lasses all of them strangers with the exception of a formal introduction which is anything but getting acquainted all this band of scholars are industriously spending their time some in conning [sic] over their books others reciting thier [sic] lessons whilst I am writing to friend Hattie. I have now just commenced attending school in Southampton and my sister and myself are boarding with the preceptor Mr Gamwell and room with the preceptress Miss Stockbridge and the music teacher Miss Gamwell so you see there is quite a little circle of us we have quite a large and pleasant room I was sorry you delayed writing so long for such a poor excuse if you will allow me to be the judge but was glad you came to such a nice conclusion. I hope you will never hereafter be caught in such a trick again who cares about the paper I dont for one.
From your description I should think you might be quite happy in your brothers study, I should be glad to fill that empty seat and if there think I could very easy if it is a rocking chair.
Respecting that scene in your letter I hear you have had an answer given which is satisfactory, however having taken no little pains to obtain an answer
butI think that as I recieved [sic] so I should give and will do likewiseviz 1st the fire answers sparks
2nd one gentleman says 1000 kisses
3rd another says a hand and heart I respondBut as I am liable to be mistake I will leave one to decide as you are older and more experienced in such matters. Brother, sister and myself should all be happy to make you a visit bu[t] we shall expect a return to my long one ere I meet once more my friend in Newington.
As you have continual intercourse with "the magnetic stone" I think you will be better qualified to answer those questions than myself for having spent much time in trying to solve them I have at last given up in despair finding myself totally ignorant on this deep and all absorbing subject magnetism and now dear friend will you not be so kind as to write me answers on all three of them as my ideas and curiosity are quite aroused and I am very desirous to know.
As H and M have been down to N-n so recently I presume they have told you all about love affairs and these I will pass by. Hatty spent Tuesday eve with me had quite a pleasant visit. While H & M were down with you my Grandfather Walkley died and one of our neighbors a Mrs Smith though not any relations to Hattys family. And so we are reminded of death. The friends of Mrs Smith do not maintain any hope for her future welfare, how important that we should be prepared for death. My Grandfather died a very happy death and long to go home to his Father in heaven he had a very lingering consumption.
And now dear friend do write soon I should have written sooner but have been very busy in getting ready for school so you will excuse me for not writing before from your friend
Mary D W
Please direct to Southampton Mass for the present My love to all of your family & yourself