[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Ovid Sept 7th 1841
Dearest Mary
My early promised letter has been long delayed on account of various duties that must receive attention, such as receiving visits & calls, & returning the same, indeed the last has taken up very much of my time, rather more than I think will very soon be devoted to that purpose, for my friends would insist that I should stay at least two or three days with them, & in some instances it has been lengthened to a week.
Minny, I have often thought of that morning on which you left the Sem. in rather a full stage, I expect you upset a few times going to the depot, but of Sarah I must say she had an enviable place. What a delightful ride she must have had with those gents. But you must write me a long letter and tell all about your journey home[.]
Mat & I remained at the Sem. until Sat. We left seven at the Sem. including the teachers. We were occupied principally in making table-cloths, & were priveledged [sic] with the use of the "north parlor" while doing so. We were obliged to remove to the second story before we left, the masons were making sad havoc in the upper ones in putting on the "hard finish." Friday morning Mr. Hawks, & Dea Avery came to our room to remove all furniture. In the closet it was placed upon the upper shelf. (I wonder if the young ladies left their rooms in good order?) Two wash-women came on Sat. to have a "family washing" I suppose. Miss Lyon fed us bountifully with the remains; cake & huckle-berries in abundance.
But I think you have heard enough of this. I will now tell you something of our jaunt home. Sat. we took the stage to Westfield where our friends were, we spent the sabbath there, & on Monday morning took the cars for Chester. 19 miles distant, at that place we took the stage for Pittsfield where we arrived about 2 o'clock P.M. We dined there, & took the stage for Albany. It was very pleasant travelling, with the exception of little too much dust, for a cloud of it completely enveloped us some of the way.
We arrived in Albany about 11 o'clock Monday night. A bed was very welcome I assure you, but although it was so late we arose at five, yet on special occasions I am in favor of rising at [illegible number], or little earlier, & I think you are also, but I came near forgetting our morning visit, many thanks to you Min. for those calls. I wish you give me a call now a days. But I forgotten myself & returned to "Holyoke scenes."
To return to my subject, we left Albany at 8. the next morning, and after passing through villages and cities, without number, we found ourselves in Auburn (28 miles from home) at nine o'clock tuesday night. We found ourselves fatigued enough to spend the night there, although we were so near home. The next morning we went to the "State Prison" in which are between 7, & 800 convicts, there were no idle hands there I assure you. We visited the cooking room, their kettles were somewhat larger than those of the Sem. but really their cooking reminded me of by gone days[.] The[y] were cooking "Indian Pudding" which is given to them with molasses I was very often reminded of "silent study hours" in visiting the various work shops, for they are not allowed to look up, nor to speak. We were nearly an hour in this building, and at 11 o'clock A.M. we took the stage for Cayuga lake. Mat & I found an old acquaintance at East Cayuga with whom we dined. We had a delightful trip up the lake, rendered doubly pleasant by a sight of home although at a distance.
When we landed we found Mat's brother waiting for us, he was so glad to see us that he almost let the horse stop several times in going home, & we were three hours travelling seven miles. This ended our travels. But yet I am willing to take them over again, if I can see all at the Sem. once more. Do you not want to return or are you not stoical enough for that? I would give any thing to meet in No. 32. I shall always remember many happy hours spent there, especially thursday eve such packing up and a little of every thing. Do you remember the tableaux that evening Miss Lyon saw them? How fine they were, especially the two old ladies knitting. I think Mat & I must have some before she returns. They will be entirely knew. [sic] in this place. What did you do with your frame? I am sorry we did not have some in that frame they would have been so nice.
Min do you get breakfast now a days? I suppose you make bread-puddings of all colors, & kinds. A young gent. told me this morning, they were now examined in the domestic department before entering our Academy. He though I could enter. You know I scour knives, & forks, and such kinds.
Do you hear from the young ladies often? I heard that the elder Miss Pendleton was dead, it was what I expected to hear before we left the Sem. I hope there may be no sickness, or deaths this vacation. I think if they observe Miss Lyons "five rules" there will not be a cause for sickness.
Have you written to Miss Lyon? I wish to know how benevolent you were. I expect to hear that you furnished a room. Minny, do you think of returning to South Hadley again, if not this year, when do you? I wish we could go together. I should really be very much pleased with it. I suppose you would like it very well, but would not care much about it. My letter is well filled, I hope you will answer it soon, and send papers very often. My best love to Sarah, & very much of it for yourself.
Yours most affectionately
Mary Jane.
M. J. DunlapWith the best love and kindest wishes of "Orra Douglas" "Vale of Roses."
Minny I received your paper the next day after I returned, I thank you much for your punctuality. I answered it immediately but have not received an answer yet. Do send them often. My respects to your brother & Mr Montgomery. I remember a paper you received once from a gent with Love upon it. Remember the Twelve Witches Society[?] The resolutions are yet binding I believe, I know you will confide all in me will you not? Remember those solemn promises made in so much secrecy in No. 18. I just remember our visit in the "north parlor" with Miss Lyon just before she left for her journey to the west. What an affecting meeting, so much so that some were affected to tears.
We were good children then to say "that we thought the teachers should have know[n] what they were going to do before commenced opperations" [sic] I wonder if we thought so? Our hands appeared to have springs, on that day, every proposition we fully consented to believe, showing ourselves persons of very thoughtful minds, & seeing the evil of a thing without any thought. But I have forgotten the last part. vis. "Nat to speak of it to any one but forget it entirely" I hope you will not make a mistake.