[Original has no paragraph breaks; I put some in for ease of reading.]Mt. Hol. Seminary, S. Hadley, Apr. 17, 44.
Dear Brother,
It is a long, long time since I have heard from home, have you all forgotten me? March passed without bringing me any letter from home, let not April follow her recreant sister. I have two Salem Observers kindly loaned me by a friend that looks some like home. I would be very much obliged to you if you would be so kind as to send me some papers.
I can see you in imagination resuming your spring labors, has Caroline gone to Andover yet, tell her to be sure and prepare to come to Holyoke next year, and to study Euclid, the first six books and three supplements if possible, Algebra to the 21st section and Worcester's History and as many of the middle studies as she can, be careful to study the same authors. Tell her to be very studious, and be prepared to enter the Senior Class. She must spend one year at Holyoke which I think would be a very great advantage to her, and highly conducive to her intellectual and moral improvement. Tell her not to fail to write to me very soon.
Is Mary Ann at home and what is her employment, does she anticipate teaching this season. She must tell William he is rather tardy as I have not yet received the letter she mentioned. Surely I think that she who was so anxious to have me come to S.H. might oftener write to me, she must not wait for me to write to her, as probably she would not if she knew my engagements. I do not know certain whether I shall be able to complete the course this year or not, Miss Lyon thinks it is as hard for a young lady to obtain a certificate here as it is for her brother to get one in college. Does the shop still ring with the din of hammers, tell Stephen (for by the way in his letter he requested me to distinguish myself in something), that Upham does not think it best to canton [?] out a little Goshen in the intellectual world to cultivate to the conclusion of the rest.
This is the allotted time for walking but it rains therefore I got excused, and thought I would try to write a few lines in this sheet which I commenced last week for you may think that I am famishing for a letter from my loved home. I racked my brain in vain for conjectures as to what can be the cause, unless indeed my not writing, but why oh why may not so many give one gratuitous sheet, besides I think my catalogues merit at least a paper.
I have not yet heard from the town meeting, or the report describing my miserable teaching (or pretending to teach) I think I should want better health than I had last summer if I should teach again. Nature will not suffer her laws to be violated with impunity. Who teaches the schools in Boxford this season. I long to hear from my dear Sabbath school class, as it is almost time for the S. School to be reorganized, may they have a more faithful teacher than I have been to them. I have often vividly beheld them in fame's [?] view. I hope they will all remain in one class I shall love to think of them as all together, it seems as if I must almost meet them this season, but the Shepherd of Souls will take care of these precious lambs. I presume you anticipate attending with much pleasure. You must write me all about it.
Our dreaded examination comes next week, I should like to have you see the callisthenics. I should be very happy to return home vacation but probably I shall not, I have two studies to prepare, to be examined on, Paley, and Wilkin's Astronomy, though my mind is rather fatigued with thirty weeks in tense application. The trees has begun to blossom and ere they are loaded with ripe fruit, the time will have come for me to return home, think not that I dislike Holyoke, for we have some of the most excellent ladies here you will find anywhere. But I long to see you all again. I heard the very familiar words of turns [?] one day in sections, which you know has been rather denounced at home. The teachers took turns. We have perfect order and system here.
Mr. Conduit is out of health, last sabbath Mr. Tracy preached two excellent sermons, he has been a missionary to China and Hindustan under the American Board, but returned on the failure of his health, he intends to return if his health will permit. A more true and devoted minister I think I never saw, he exhibited several of the Chinese idols. His appearance indicated he knew what is was to make sacrifices, who is a more enviable character than the devoted Missionary. He was an earnest pleader in behalf of the heathen.
Give my love to father and ask him to send at least one word to his daughter at Holyoke. Remember me to Aunt Nancy, I am very grateful for the precious jewels she has sent me in the letters I have received, I wish she would write me. Give my love to all the folks.
You loving and absent sister, Melissa
I am afraid Mrs. Peabody has wanted her box I have almost ventured to expect a letter from her though I acknowledge mine did not deserve one
Tell Porter my roommate rather claimed him, and if he will come to S. Hadley he may have the pleasure of seeing her.
I wish you would all write to me, and if I cannot repay you charge it to my account till I return to Boxford write all the news. Ego amarem esse vobis. [I believe the translation of this Latin phrase is: I would love to be with you]
May I soon have the pleasure of receiving a letter in answer so this and feign would I hope the letters
Do Do send me a paper as soon as you get this sheet and a letter as soon as possible. You see it is some time since I commenced this, and I hope you will excuse the numerous defects, but I think I have husbanded my time well. Perhaps Caroline will think that she will have a hard time, but I should have more leisure if I studied no more than the regular course in a series. I have taken Wayland since we commenced the reviews.