Mt. Hol. Fem. Sem. Nov. 20th [1844]
Dear Emma,
Although so long a time has passed [since] I parted from you, yet be assured I have not forgotten you, nor the promise I made to write you. And now as this is our "recreation day", and as I have a leizure moment I will gladly devote it to you. Thanks be rendered to an all wise providence that we are blessed with a hand to pen, and a mind to direct those little interchanges of friendship letters, for they often cheer our drooping hearts, and while away our otherwise gloomy hours, and what is more, bind us still closer to each other.
And now dear Emma, I suppose you would like to know something about my new home, and my new duties. Six short weeks have passed away into the boundless ocean of eternity, and yet I live and tread this beautiful earth with as high hopes, and as joyous anticipations, as if care had no home, nor dissappointment [sic] no name. To say that the days which have fled have borne no cloud upon their wings, would be too fair for ought of earth, but I have indeed been happy. And now that my examinations are over, and I am settled for a whole year, I feel quite at home. We have between two hundred fifty, and three hundred scholars, a larger number than there has ever been before. We all meet together twice in the day, in the morning for devotions, and in the evening to do business, and to receive lectures and advice from Miss Lyon, which we like very much of course. We have but four regular study days, Wednesday being recreation, and Saturday composition day. We are obliged to spend eight hours on our compositions and two on each lesson. I am studying French and [Murray's?] Grammar. We recite in Grammar twice daily, and analyze instead of parsing the sentences. We are to have a native teach in French next summer. I suppose I might enter the middle class if I chose, but if I do, I shall not have time to study Latin, which I am very anxious to do. Next week is Thanksgiving week and we are to have a vacation of four days, and a party on Thanksgiving evening. Then the new church that they have been building here is to be dedicated next Tuesday, so you see we are anticipating right merry times. I wish you were here to enjoy it with me Emma, but you must come as soon as you are "sweet sixteen". You would be happy here I know. I have many things to say to you which I cannot for wont of room, for I must write a few words to your dear sister Elizabeth.
But what is lacking in length Emma I will make up in love. Will you not write me a long letter soon. Please tell me where Miss Booth is. My love to her, I shall write her soon. Accept the best wishes of your friend,
Ma chere Emma.
[The next part of the letter is addressed to Elizabeth.]
Wednesday eve. Nov. 20th. [1844]
My dear Elizabeth,
I could not write to Emma without saying a few words to one who has so large a share of my heart, and though I can talk with you only a little, yet I must give you some of my thoughts this evening. And how may I ask has time past with you since I saw you last, have you been very happy? and has one pleasure flown just in time to give place to another? May I not hope that it has been so, and that though life happiness may be yours. How strangely Elizabeth joy and sorrow are [mingled?] in this world, there is a thorn for every rose, and a cloud for every sky, and the smoothest summer sea is often disturbed by the raging tempest. Is it not pleasant in this changing and inconstant scene, to remember that there is a sunnier land, whose repose is never broken by the thunder's jar or the wild wind's howl, and whose bright waters are never ruffled by the "storm breath of Omnipotence."
Although I am far from home and loved friends this evening, yet I am neither sad nor lonely, for I find many kindred spirits here, and that you know is enough to content one anywhere. The country around here is delightful. The sun goes down most splendidly over Mount Tom, I wish you could be here to enjoy it with me. My greatest trouble is, I am constantly afraid of breaking some little rule, of which there are a great many here. I would like to talk with you a long time if I had time and room. Oh how I shall anticipate a letter from you and Emma.
Remember and write me a long letter, and tell me all the news. Please give my love to all "my people" and tell mother I am anxiously expecting a letter from her. Remember me to all your family, and to all who enquire for me, and believe me your live friend,
Miss E. J. Edson