Newark Jan 4th 1852.Dear Cousin
I received yours of the 28th at an early hour, and should have answered it long before this time if circumstances had not turned up which I wished to have settled before I wrote to you.
When I came to live with my Grandfather, I expected to yield all I could to the feelings of those whith [sic] whom I resided (for I would be the last one who would designedly disturb the harmonious regulations of any family circle). But when man absolutely prohibits the worshipping of God according to the dictates of my own conscience, I feel it my duty defend the inailienable [sic] right which God has given me as well as every other human being, when therefore not only my whole manhood is violated but a bribe offered to my conscience I felt it my duty respectfully, calmly, yet firmly to yield no principle, and I after consulting my father on the subject withdrawn [sic] myself from under his authority, and consequently his assistance, and have changed my place of Board to 229 1/2 Washington Street.
I went home on the day before Christmas, father had his vegetarian banquet on that day he had dined at 1 o'clock and a supper at 7 o'clock, the New Hall over the new Building which was partly finished I believed when you were there, it was trimmed very tastfully [sic] and hung around with pictures and mottoes, it was dedicated on Christmas eve to freedom of thought and speach. [sic] Mrs. Gray delivered the Dedicatory Address, which was followed by addresses from Mr. & Mrs. Dr. Nichols of New York.
On Christmas the tables were crowded with such a variety which if I were to attempt to inunsmirate [?] I should do but little justice to but every one appeared to be perfectly satisfied in regard to quantity and quality, there were (was) good pies and cakes and
withto the astonishment of all there was not a particle of butter, eggs, or milk in the whole lot. I am not exagerating [sic] at all when I say I never sat down to a table in my life where there was such a variety of good things Cousin Mary Lenard was there from Newark Fanny Willis and a number of others, there was about 175 guests there a vote of thanks was past [sic] by them and every one seemed to enjoy himself.All are well at home, Uncle Stone has entered into an engagement to superintend a powder magazine for a company of merchants in New York, on the Jersey side not far from Jersey City they are to be there by the frirst [sic] of March.
There are three Medical Colleges in New York the College of Physicians and Surgeons at 67 Crosby St. which I attend the University of the City a[t] 14th St. and the New York Medical College at 13th St. There are seven Professors in the College each has a ticket which entitled the purchaser to attendance, first on entering the College we have to pay for a Matriculation Ticket and then we do just as we have a mind to about taking any or all of the rest. each Professor has a quising [sic] list if our name is on the list we are quised [sic] pretty briskly by each Professor at his Lecture on the preceeding one, if it is not, no questions are asked, we pay for the Lectures, do just as we have a mind to as to tending them or not there are about 200 studens [sic] and one might stay there the whole winter and not be known by hardly any one, as I expect to attend two or three courses beside this winter I prefer to hear one course before I enter my name on the quising list. I generally read over at night the most important things that I have heard through the day I have read but little lately but Medical works and my bad health for the past year or to [sic] has got me out of the habit of close aplication [sic] and it has been pretty hard work so far but I am geting [sic] my mind a little more under my sway.
Thanksgiving day I went to Church in the morning and in the afternoon took dinner at aunt Hatty's & gave your love as you requested to Mary Laenard I shall endever to answer your letters more promptly in future.
Yours affectionately
Malcolm L GrimesDirect. Malcolm L. Grimes
229 1/2 Washington St
Newark N J..