A Letter Written on Mar 9, 1855

South Hadley March 9"/55

Dear Friend,

No doubt you think me quite tardy in answering your letter, but you must excuse me for I have not been well for a few days, so that I could not leave my room to obtain the desired information. I have been down to see Miss Chapin to-night in your behalf, but find her quite inflexible. They have determined to admit none the next year who have not read Nepos. She says also that it will be so much more to your advantage to get Nepos before you come as it takes so long here, & I fully agree with her; could I live a year over again I could not read that here. (I only have to read a part), it takes so much time. Where a scholar reads the whole of it here it usually takes the whole year. Latin & Algebra are the two longest studies in the course. I am very sorry that Miss Chapin will not consent to admit you without, althou as it is not convinient [sic] for you to read it; but if you can get it before you come I think you will never repent it. One thing let me caution you to attend to somewhat & that is the proninciation; [sic] they are quite particular about that; I should have passed a good examination in Latin had it not been for that; as I had never attended to it, my examination was somewhat below par. I should think you might read Nepos. to Mr Loomis, going two or three times each week to recite. I read a part of it last summer to Mr Cone (our minister) and recited three times a week, and I am verily thankful for it now.

You must be sure to come & see me when I am home; I can inform you respecting matters & things there much better, than by scribbling. I will inform you when I am going to be home in season for you to come. I want to have Sarah come too. You must excuse this letter for I do not feel very much like writing, and answer it soon; if there is any further information I can give you I shall be happy to do so. I hope you will be able to read Nepos.

Give my Love to Your Mother
with some for yourself,
Yours Aff-
Sophie.

[There were two students named Sophia at the Seminary in 1855: H. Sophia Hayes of Prattsburg, NY, and J. Sophia Hill of Middlebury, Ct. There was a Rev. Revilo J. Cone associated with the Middlebury Church in 1854, according to "Contributions to the Ecclesiastical History of Connecticut," published by William Kingsley in 1861. I couldn't find any ministers named Cone in Prattsburgh, NY around that time, so I tend to think this letter was written by Sophia Hill.]