[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading]Morristown. Nov. 19. 1850.
My dear Sister,
I have been threatning [sic] to write to you, since I received your note, and have but just set about it in earnest. It lacks a quarter of nine. Miss Seely, who is as regular as the clock in retiring, and moreover very seasonable in the hour, seemed quite shocked that I had only commenced. Miss Booth is playing on the piano in the next room, and I could sit and write a long time, but I feel all the while in a fidget, less the piano will disturb some of Morpheus' subjects. Nothing sits me better; as you know, than to write under its influence, and Miss B- plays some very pretty pieces, that make it all the more agreeable. My apparent proficiency in music is not probably so great, as you suppose. I am in Hunter's Instruction Book. It is the last edition and much improved, Mrs. Lewis says. The exercises that I have taken have considerable melody in them, so that to practise them is not dry work. Mrs. Lewis does finger admirably. Oh! Nealie I would like to play, and play well. It does seem to me that I could, in time, but it is the work of years, is it not?
Christmas is truly coming, and soon - I look forward to it with the greatest pleasure in hopes of seeing you. I hope that you can come to Morristown, so you can get an idea of my style of living, it is pleasant to fancy our friends in their daily avocations and by associating my home, and the faces of my friends here, with me, you can form a very tolerable idea of my mode of life. You must come to New York at least. Do not disappoint me in this. Mrs. Brown and you can come for me, from there, if you please. I have received a letter from Mrs. Brown since she returned from Salisbury, and I must hasten to answer it.
Thursday Evening.
I am in Mrs. Seely's room. Last night at this time, I was primmed up, and at a donation party. I really enjoyed myself very much I was introduced to several agreeable people. I should think the society in Morristown very good, as far as I have had opportunity of observing. I saw a beautiful boy, the pride of his grandfather, one could readily see, and one very handsome woman, something after the style of Jane Leavitt, - but handsomer. I do like to look at an expressive face. The features of the lady to whom I refer, were cast in Nature's noblest mold, and she seemed very intelligent withal. One Mrs. Dr. Stevenson to whom I was introduced is lovely. Mr. Richard's the minister, and his wife, are very agreeable.
Now Nealie, have I tittle=tattled enough? The object for which I commenced this letter has been postponed long enough, I presume you think. About that but, dear Nealie, you are welcome to it. I hope you can have something respectable made from them both. I must stop to think what colored merino I would like. I have really not had time to cogitate upon this important matter. I liked the color of the sample you sent me, better than the quality of the cloth. I would prefer genuine merino. All the new dresses are made plain waists, fully stuffed, and buttoned up in front with fancy buttons. The sleeves are a little loose at the wrist, with full undersleeves. They are rather graceful, and quite pretty for a change. Perhaps we will have our dresses fitted in New York. You must not disappoint me in coming to the city at Christmas. We will have a delightful time, will we not?
I cannot realize that the time is so nigh at hand. The wind blows quite wintry tonight. We have already had a little snow. Can you boast of as much? Write soon, and at length.
As ever affectionately your sister
"Hattie."