[The letter was torn when the seal was broken, and a portion of the last third of the letter is missing at the tear location. In some cases I was able to see letters before and after the gap that make it possible to deduce what the H. M. Smith had written. In those cases, I include my guess in brackets.]W. Springfield, (Agawam) April 2. 1835.
My dear Miss Luce,
I have not as I intended commenced this letter April 1st., but 2nd. but you will get it as soon as if I had. - I think our correspondence exhibits an apt illustration of the poets idea when he wrote the line 'Like angels visits few and far between'. For my part I have given up all idea of ever hearing from you again but your kind letter removed all my scruples regarding your friendship and I think we may now enter upon a cheerful & I hope profitable correspondence[.]
Since I wrote you I have spent most of my time at home my studies have principlely [sic] been of a culinary nature I have become quite an adept in the science of cookery I am fulfilling Miss Grant's maxim "to become domesticated by practice" - I have attended to Geology considerable this winter but my collection is rather small I have however some rare specimens I suppose as my shells were when I was in Ipswich - I trust I shall before long have an opportunity to show you my curiosities according to your letter you said you should you hoped to attend Miss Lyon's new institution it is located not far from W.S. [West Springfield]
theSouth Hadley the place of its location joins W. Springfield on the N.E. a very pleasant country place I have not yet ascertained when it is to go into operation I presume it will not before next fall - You probably knew Miss Washburn was one that was going into the new institution but you probably have heard long ere this of her death & it is thought Miss Lucy Adams is in a settled consumption[.] How important to be prepared "for in such an hour as we think not we may be called away"I shall probably spend my time at home this summer I think some of taking a small school in this place but have not yet decided I intend to take a school somewhere (that is if I can get one I have not yet tried for one but intend to) I do not like to be idle I don't think it agrees with my constitution & I fear teaching school would not with my disposition but I most hope for the best & I shall get along at some rate or other - You enquire whether I intend to take upon me the solemn vows of matrimony - I can assure you single blessedness is my prospect & doubtless will be my perpetuity I know of nothing more comforting than to be one's own mistress. What say you? Do write me about yourself & Mr - you know who, I have seen him. now do be candid & write me all about it. You may [be] best assured that it will be known by no one but myself I liked his looks very well I thought he appeard [sic] well but I suppose seeing him so short a time I am not competent to judge but you well know first impressions go a great ways[.]
I have not heard from my dear friend Miss Yale since last Spring I feel ashamed of my negligence but intend to write her soon she is a lovely girl - The only one in Ipswich from which I hear is my very particular friend S. M. Palmer & but seldom do I hear from her she writes me that she has some minerals collected for me so that I was wonderfully favored on all sides in making a collection[.] My conchological cabinet is not so favored I sometimes have a shell given me but seldom I love shells better than I do minerals altho' am anxious to collect both & I love curiosities of any sort [...] kind - I had quite a number of house plants but the [...] cold winter killed them all so you will in[...] as well as [...] 'tis very wonderful "that one small head can con[tain] so much" - I wish you was here that I could see you I could tell you a great deal that my pen cannot picture - I do hope before long to have an opportunity to welcome you at my Fathers & then I will reward you for the interest you take in my improvement & for the trouble it has cost you - If you send a box you may direct it to the same place that I wrote you in my other letter & he will pay Capt Churchill for his trouble there has been one of our neighbors in your town a few weeks since but I did not know that he was a going & he did not know that I knew any one there[.] If he had known it he would have called & seen you he went to collect minerals & shells he has a very large cabinet of minerals & supplies some colleges he has given me the [...] that I have - write me about Ipswich when you write - I was glad [to hear] that you was progressing in your studies hope you will succeed - I [have not] attempted Latin presume you have an instructor in your family - very [convenient]
I hope you will not defer writing me again so long a time. Before I write me [sic] if you send the box just as soon as they are put "aboard" so that I may know when to send them do be up with your own proposition in writing.
I must ask & beg that you will excuse the rough appearance of this letter I am ashamed to send it but somehow or other I cannot write as good as usual I must again request you to write me soon
Yours with love
H. M. Smith