No. 28. Mt. Holyoke. Seminary.
Jan. 29, 1841 -Thanks to ye all good folks, for the bundle of last week. It reached use safely by the hand of the messenger on Wednesday afternoon. And this is now the second attempt to express the gratitude which has since then glowed in my bosom - of the first the happy fate has been to enlighten our darkness, or hold honorable station in Thomas' book of Lamplighters. Do confess for once that shame has yet place in my breast - I was ashamed to send you a sheet which should look as [...] gave promise it would, so I cut it in twain before the second page was completed.
Vacation is come and gone. Your letters come just in season to brighten its beginning. One week - it may be very long as I know by experience - but it is very short as to accomplishing the things which school girls or school dames think of in vacation. It just serves the purpose of a window through which you may look at the fine things which might be done. Having had experience in this sort of thing I made no plan but to "sleep" and be happy - in which things I suceeded much to my liking.
Miss Parker hast just been in to bring us her package. Thanks for this also Miss Chenery says "How many letters do you have, tis too bad."
Saturday morn. Charlotte is just fitted out with a party for Northhampton [sic]. Miss Reed is of the number and I think they will have fine times.
[Different handwriting]
Friday eve. Have just done washing and as I got there considering what it was best to do with myself for the next hour I copied this sheet which Julia had laid in sight to "tempt me" she said so you see the bait was a successful one for I took it at once. If you should see us now you would never dream that we had had a vacation for every thing fitted into precisely the same notch as before and every wheel turns on just as usual.An interena [?]. Somebody came so I stopped to laugh and talk and now it is almost bed time so I suppose it will not do to talk to you very much longer. Miss Reed spent the vacation away so Julia carried the letter to her room and she found it there and told us she "found something in her room that did her a great deal of good" and she brought us chesnuts [sic] and apples to pay for it so you see it did us some good. And Miss Hurd asked us to give you all a great deal of love and to express a "thousand thanks" for her letter. Good night, for now.
[Back to original handwriting]
Sabbath eve. Charlotte returned from her yesterday's ride in good case and fine spirits. We have had a very pleasant [...]ing Sabbath to day, a rare thing. And it has been pleasant in better respects too. We think of you all more on the Sabbath than any other day I suspect - and they are pleasant thoughts. I look in upon you now, in the quiet study reading together.Thanks to Pa for the Home Missionary. I wanted Ma here to spell out some of the characters in the article "Pastors and Churches." I suppose they happened before my day but I set down one for Dr. Mott. By the way I saw that same day copied in the N.Y. Evangelist, full length. The New Year's address of which you ins[...] was dated New York - it was rather short - in rhyme and nothing very superior. The Obs. has not come to the reading room since Jan. 2. I know not why. I miss it sadly.
I hope the rest of you will not feel slighted if we praise Thomas Most, but really he improves vastly. I suspect it is good for him to have his sisters gone.
I received a very affectionate letter from Mrs Goodside [?] a few days since. She feels lonely at home. She spoke of the void which used to be filled by "Lucy's letters." I think I shall write to her soon.
We have a Missionary Meeting every alternate Saturday. Some of them have been very interesting. Subjects are given out for composition and some very good ones have been read. One of the best was a tribute to the memory of Mrs Von Lenhope. [?] Mr Condit has his monthly concert this evening - it [...] more like itself on Monday evening.
The ["...]mpshire Association "are to meet at Mr Condit's tomorrow. I suppose [...] shall attend the public service. Charlotte and [...] have been wishing that Mr Wright would attend, but if he should it is questionable whether we get at him. Mr Bates of Newton is the minister of Granby.
One of my vacation employments was to write for Miss Lyon a few hours. She read of various lists of names for me to copy. "Accepted Candidates" "undecided" etc - on the first list stands "Adeline Hyde" to my amazement. I perceive that Miss L. is more than willing to recieve [sic] her for I made no definite application. Cornelia Bradley & Lucy Bliss are on the same list also. Now I suppose I am to come too, but I must [...]ly say I dread it. I can have patience though this year's teaching I hope but I have not the soul of a teacher. My classes are heavy and besides, "I dont see as I am one bit the better for all this teaching."
Excuse a short letter for once. Charlotte['s] expedition to N detracts from the time of both of us somewhat. Cousin Harriet or Willie or some of the good cousins sent us some very fine apples from Ware when the young ladies returned to school.
Love undiminished from Julia.