Dear Mamma:-I am writing from Ithaca, and my strongest impression is heat. It's tremendous, but probably it will not last long. This is surely the third day in this region as I know by experience.
Elizabeth left Buckland Friday morning. I packed the rest of the time and left at three. The ride through the hills was fine - Hoosac Tunnel not bad - but when we got out of the hills the heat began and I never had such a hot dirty ride. Blanche and Stella Hamson met me in Syracuse at 10:45 and it was just melting then. They have a lovely big house in what must be a comparatively cool part of the city, but it was awful. The noise wasn't bad however and I slept some.
In the forenoon Blanche took me down to her laboratory and showed me around the H. S. building. First one I ever saw, I think. 1800 students and 65 teachers. I met the principal - a fine man, I should judge, and I can see that he depends a lot on Blanche. She's doing fine work and I was proud of her. Then we went to the University and a more unattractive place I never saw. Glad I don't have to go there. After dinner she showed me the post-cards she got last summer in Europe, and then I left.
Got here last night at about eight, and found the house after a little inquiring. Anne [perhaps Anna Morgan] hadn't gotten my letter, and so didn't meet me. We have a pleasant suite, tho it has west windows and so it's hot in the afternoon. None of the houses seem to have blinds. But I shall not be here much week days. We have meals next door, and it is an excellent place, food very well cooked and served, with pretty dishes. I can't sit where Anne is at table just yet - there are several tables in the big rooms - but shall later. Several profs. take their meals there. Chicken and ice-cream for dinner today. It is time now to get ready for supper.
My trunk didn't come until the middle of the forenoon, but everything was all right, and I have it unpacked now. Anne took me around the campus after breakfast. We are very near one entrance, but it is a huge place - lots of buildings widely scattered. But it is a well-kept place, not at all like Syracuse. The view of the end of the lake and the valley with the hills on the other side from some of the buildings and parts of the grounds is fine. The chemistry building is a great big one. Tomorrow I shall see that and some of the offices inside, anyhow, but there is so much to see that I'm afraid I'll never get around.
Mr. and Mrs. Holman are away over Sunday and only one man, a roomer, has arrived yet beside ourselves altho there are to be several others. It is a well built, well-furnished house, very much on a side hill as many houses here are. We have a big desk, flat-topped, a bookcase, a morris chair, two big tip-back desk-chairs in one room, with two beds, two chiffoniers and a big closet in the other so we shall be very comfortable.
The sample of your goods is pretty - just what you want, I think. I'm glad you are having such a pleasant time - and glad Louise can stop at Mt. Holyoke on her way back.
I must stop - am late now, but I guess they'll serve supper for a little while anyhow.
Love to you and to all,
Abby.I'll send you some postals after I can get them.
July 5
123 Highland Place,
Ithaca, N.Y.Miss Clapp sails for Japan July 23.