Holyoke. May 7. 1849.My dear Mother,
According to your earnest request, I am now seated to write a few words to you.
I reached South Hadley safely, between three and four Thursday afternoon. I saw Augusta & Charlotte Denny at Westboro' whom I had not seen for a year or two, and was agreeably surprised to find Mr. Addison Howe, who accompanied us as far as Palmer, - very polite and attentive as usual. We went into one car which was very full, and one plain looking gentleman arose & offered his seat. This, I learned was Gov. Briggs, with no dickey on, of course. I had a fine opportunity to see him as he stood near me conversing with a man, & I think I should know his Excellency now if I should see him again. I think there is something very benevolent & good in his looks - at any rate, he is a gentleman.
At Springfield, we saw sixteen young ladies take the cars for the West, whither they were going as teachers under Gov. Slade; they came from Hartford where they had been to be examined, I suppose.
We found it very dusty & disagreeable riding between Springfield & the Seminary, and were glad to reach here at last. My things all came safely and I had no trouble about my baggage. I was very sorry, and much surprised to find Mary sick, though better than she had been. She took cold the night they returned from Miss Scott's house, and she has had a sore throat &c. She seems to be weak, and is now taking wine, strengthening powders, lemons, &c. I am sorry, as it will put her back in her lessons, besides increasing her expenses. She says this room seems like a grave to her, and she is down in the third story all she can be, so I do not see a great deal of her except when she is asleep - She wants to go home, but I suppose the Teachers would be quite unwilling to have her.
I found a long letter from Lydia awaiting my arrival - She did not say a word of her donation visit. She wrote that they were all well, Johnnie the best baby in the world, & Mary E's little Anna is like Ebenezer. She says it is a time of considerable religious interest there, now, and she thinks Mary Eliza will unite with the church at the next opportunity - that Ebenezer has had many long conversations with her, & thinks this is her duty. Does not this make you feel happy, Mother? If she is indeed born again, how rejoiced we should be.
The names of the accepted candidates for next year, were read aloud to us the other afternoon in the Hall. Among these, I heard that of Zilpah Fay of Berlin Maria Hunt's cousin, I suppose - of Miss Gilbert, daughter of the Pastor at West Newton, Mrs. Houghton's friend and Catherine Lee Mrs Bates' sister. Miss Whitman says the list will be very full. Miss Lyon's room is now prepared for use, and is used by the teachers for business, writing, &c. & the Senior class have prayer meetings there. Miss W. calls it, & intends to, "Miss Lyon's room" - says we shall all love to hear it called so. -
Miss Curtis the teacher who went away sick as I told you, died a week from the day vacation begun. She suffered greatly in her dying moments, but she was perfectly rational & very patient to the last. Miss Chapin another teacher has taken her Section, in which were Olive & Sarah Bigelow.
Lydia wrote that she had seen Miss Hosmer whom Mrs. Houghton knows, who went from here to labor among the Choctaw Indians. Lydia gave them some books.
There has not much be[en] said about moving yet, as we are very busy ab[out] reviews now. Examinations continue next Monday Tuesday & Wednesday & Thursday is to be our recreation-day. I recite two history lessons daily - Olive has seven studies or reviews. We do not sing, practice calisthenics, or write Compositions during this Review-time: the latter we do not much regret.
Miss Hazen asked me today if I wished to move from the fourth story - I told her I did not care for myself, but I supposed my room-mate would have to. "But for yourself," says she "you do not care to," & I said no. However I may alter my mind yet.
Almost all the new bonnet-ribbons I have seen yet, are green, and green & white ginghams are plenty - The teachers most all have green ribbons - So much the better - it shows they know what is pretty don't it?
I am almost ashamed to say that Sunday, I was real home-sick - a dull day out of doors, though we had fine preaching - I feel a little better tonight: but 13 weeks instead of 12 are between me, and my home!
You will write soon, won't you? I have not seen Olive's gingham yet. Her bonnet is a white chip, trimmed with pink - very light & pretty.
But it is growing dark Monday Eve. Give much love to Miss Whitney, Father, Nat, & all - I remember Ellen - how's kitty?
Yours truly Sophronia