[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading]Dear Cousin
Your note was gladly received this morning and I hasten to send on that expected "long letter". Though I greatly fear that trusting too much to its intended length I shall not strive as much as I ought to make it interesting. Perhaps I had better give you as near as I can remember an account of my "voyage" to New Haven after leaving S. Hadley.
I set out you will remember Monday Morning May 17. I kept the cars to Hartford and stayed that night with a classmate in N. The next day I walked to Berlin (12 miles) leaving my valise in Hartford to be brought down the next week. Do you remember a little map of Texas Mexico &c? I have forgotten whether I showed [it] to you or not. Well this I took along in my hand and sold to whoever would buy, I staid nearly two days in Berlin with another classmate and then went on to Meriden when I called, expecting to see A. N. Leonard of Laona Chautauqua Co. but found he had gone to Northampton for his health to try the "water cure". I have since written to him informing him how near he was to Mason with whom he was well acquainted. Staid one night in Meriden and the next day walked to New Haven (nearly 20 miles) staying 4 or 5 hours in the middle of the day in North Haven calling on a friend. Thus you see I reached here Thursday night leaving me nearly a week before the term commenced[.] During this time I went to West Haven and called on Rev. Mr Wright. I do not know whether you are acquainted with him. His wife was formerly of South Hadley at the Seminary. They wished to be remembered to Miss Lyon and Miss Curtiss.
Well this brings me around I believe to the commencement of the term since which time nothing of interest has occurred the term has gone quietly on in the old beaten track. 4 weeks more and I shall be released. Do you or does Aunt know of anything - employment of any sort - that I can get during the 6 weeks vacation before Commencement? If you could direct me to anything in your vicinity, I should be handy then for your anniversary. I suppose you will be anxious to learn how I have kept that - promise, shall I call it? - As it happens I am willing you should call it so if you please for I have not played a game of chess this term. I have worked some at chess problems but have not as yet played a game. Have I not by my faithfulness earned at least a good long reply to this letter?
I am boarding this term nearly a mile from college (7/8) with 6 other students. As we go to meals three times per diem and have as near as we can estimate about 4 miles other walking in the course of the day we expect to walk in this 6 weeks the pretty little distance of 400 miles. The price of board is $2.00 (in the city it is now from $2.50 upwards) but as I wait on the table and work some in the garden I shall probably reduce mine about one half. We have very excellent board for the prices[.]
The studies this term are quite easy though we recite twice (considerable for a senior) a day; the books are "Wayland's Political Economy" and "Paleys Evidences of Christianity". We have in addition a lecture every morning from Prof. Silliman of Geology. The question of a profession or what to do when I get through college is yet undecided. You said nothing in regard to it in your little note and I await therefore some "advice" in your reply.
I saw Mr Plimpton of Sturbridge a day or two since he seemed pleased to hear even so indirectly from his namesakes there and - I doubt not would have - sent remembrances &c. had I thought to have told him I was intending to write. I have told you in the [...] part of my letter (quod vide) that I left my valise at Hartford for a week. Will this account for the somewhat delay of the package to Miss Humphries? I forwarded it as soon as I received. Sorry to have caused any uneasiness.
Well, my dear cousin, 3 pages are nearly gone and I must say I think my news and ideas are in about the same predicament. But really we hae so little variety here you must not expect too much. Love to cousin Mason if you see him and tell him to enclose a note in your next saying how I can help him in the way of books - to Aunt Mary, whom (entre nous) I am more and more pleased with the more I see of her, whom excellence and real worth I thus [?] better appreciate as I know her better - and remembrances to others
Your Aff. Cousin
Stukely Ellsworth