[Paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Millers Place June 24th 1851
Dear Niece
I intended to write to you last week but put it off not feeling very well - yesterday again was fixed on but I was hindered by company. This morning I can only make a beginning, hoping to be able to finish to-night.
It hardly seems possible that two months have passed since we left you in Milford. But the more our time and attention are occupied, the less do we perceive its rapid flight. It is to the idle that time passed slowly and seems a burden. But to them also it seems short after it has passed. They have left no deeds to fill the past, which, as it is reviewed, seems almost a blank. It is similar to what I have seen mentioned by travellers. In journeying on land there are many things to attract the attention each moment which also serve as landmarks to fill up both the space and time after the journey is completed. On the ocean there is one unvarying scene, producing weariness at the time and leaving only one impression on the memory. So too of distance - five miles on water appear little more than a mile on land. So a day, or a month well filled with useful labor, passes quickly and leaves something to reflect on, while time idly spent drags heavily and leaves nothing to reflect on. I presume yours has been so fully and pleasantly employed, that you have scarcely once thought that it was time for the answer to your letter to be forthcoming.
Evening. The labors of the day are closed and now though fatigued I will endeavor to add a few lines before retiring to rest. Though late in the day, I congratulate you on having finished your examinations with a commendable degree of accuracy. However well prepared a student may be he cannot ordinarily feel unconcerned as to the result. Entire want of care would argue to my mind, not thorough preparation, but indifference[.] You do well to feel some solicitude in regard to examinations, but this feeling may be excessive - it may be made the great object of study to stand high in scholarship to appear well and gain approbation.
You have doubtless noticed this difference, that some study merely because the lesson is assigned them while others love the study itself or regard it as a means of attaining some ulterior object. The former, though often good scholars, after completing their course, lay aside their books and rarely refer to them - their studies are finished, the recitation room & the approbation of friends no longer stimulates them and they give themselves to other occupations according to their inclinations.
The other class never lay aside their books. Though the avocations of life make large demand on their time, the bent of their minds urges them on in the paths of knowledge - they will think and speak and write. Some, because they have been educated and entered on a profession, continue to read[,] study, speak & write for it is their business - though not professionally educated, love to acquire and communicate information, and they study, examine and publish their results of their investigations because inclination leads them to this course. It is scarcely necessary to add, which class is more likely to be useful and which sort of feeling it is desirable to cultivate.
We should never forget that knowledge is to be acquired mainly for the sake of imparting it to others. We should not keep it as a hid treasure but impart it for the benefit of our fellow men. In this view it is of high importance to cultivate the power of thinking and communicating our thoughts either by conversation or writing. Instructive and useful conversation is rarely spoken of as a means of doing good - yet how often will a few judicious words from the pastor or devout christian prove more powerful than the labored sermon and how often will a few minutes with a man of science convey information not to be found in a whole course of lectures.
As for subjects for composition, they are often difficult to be found because the object is not to communicate thoughts, but merely to put together two or three pages of words so as to make sense. It may then assist in obtaining subjects if, while writing for the sake of writing, you also seek to amuse, instruct or benefit those who may read or hear your writings.
I once read of a Theological student, who was often called on to speak in meetings and supplied himself with subjects in this manner. When reading the Bible he read attentively and marked such passages as suggested suitable thoughts for remarks. Do the same in regard to the whole range of knowledge and you will not be at loss for subjects, events in history, incidents in the papers, facts in science, remarks in conversation will serve as material which the active mind will turn to good account.
Thus, the fall of Hungary, the flight of the Pope, the revolution in France, the loss of a steamer, the great exhibition, the opening of a railroad, &c. are used by editors as instructive remarks and are equally suitable for a student's composition. But perhaps you will ask for thoughts as well subjects & one object in these remarks has been to set you thinking.
But I must come to a close. Mary took the mumps somewhere in her visiting Louisa took them from her & now Martha has them. When I mentioned your name lately in conversation, she wished to be remembered and inquired if you would not visit her during your vacation. I am beginning to look for a visit from Milford[.]
I should think it very desirable to give attention to drawing, it may be very useful to you hereafter in teaching.
Strawberries (of which Mary was careful to furnish me a portion to moisten my dinner) are gone and cherries begin to be ripe the trees hang full. I would like to send some to you & friends in Milford for I do not believe they are ripe yet there. Mary Anna was at Aunt Hannah's a few weeks ago resting her eyes but I did not have an opportunity to deliver your regards.
My school is full 26 scholars, so you see I have as much as I feel able to do. Mary is very well and sends her good wishes. The baby grows and almost walks alone. I have felt better to-day than the latter part of last week and hope I shall have strength to perform my necessary duties.
We should like very much to visit the Seminary and Amherst Col. but it is impossible for it would almost break up the school for the summer if I should leave for a week or two. Two thirds are boarders and would go home and might not return. It is past ten - good night be sure and forget not to write. I presume you have received a "Parlor magazine" - I have not yet seen the catalogue of which you spoke[.]
Yours. Sincerely Bryan.