V.C. Feb. 7, 1869.
My dear Brother John*
I have not heard Irom you for some time, and so have no
letter to answer; but I must write you, to-day, for 1 shall be very busy
next week, and, probably will not have time to write during the week. Next
W ednesday the new term begins and our examinations for this term will be
over. I shall keep on with German and take up Calculus and Logic, instead
of the Mental Philosophy and Chemistry of this term. Our lectures in
Chemistry are to be continued, weekly, of which X am very glad, for I
never enjoyed a study more than I have Chemistry. Our manner of study-
ing it has been so interesting* We have a new Elocution teacher, and shall
meet her three times a week, probably for exercise in that too oftea neglected
branch. I am very glad of an opportunity of Instruction In that respect. To
be a good reader is ces 'ainly a most desirable ambition, and one that is
now so seldom attained that It is quite an accomplishment. I really am quite
delighted with my prospects for this last half of my last year. The studies
I know X shall like. I have always wanted to study Calculus and Logic; and
German has delighted me from the first day X began it. This is a perfect
day, clear and cold, and the atmosphere is so pure. X had a very pleasant
walk to church this morning. We have had, so far, a most delightful winter,
such clear weather, beautiful moon-light nights. A crust hss frosen on the
snow so as to make excellent coasting. Three of us girls went out coasting
with Prof, and Mrs. Backus, and enjoyed our selves, grsatly, careering over
Feb. 7, 1869 - 2
the icy snow. Two weeks ego I went to hear George William Curtiss lee*
ture on olitlcal Morality", and was so much pleased with the lecture and
It
the lecturer. I wish you could have heard. I know you would have liked it
so much; for it revealed not only a great deal of thought and graceful dic-
tion, but a real manly depth of strong, earnest, true principle. It is a
lecture that must do good, wherever it Is heard, and I wish it might be
delivered before every political body in the Oountry. Two of my class-mates
gave me a very pleasant and complete surprise the other day, in the shape
of two very pretty little pictures with fancy frames, made by themselves.
They are quite an addition to our walls.
We had a very good Bmnaon this afternoon, on the character of Peter.
Last Sunday, one of the Professors preached a sermon on that subject, extol-
ling him as a strong, impulsive man, doing great deeds, both bad and good,
and rather excusing his sins, because of his impulsiveness, and attributing
all his good deeds to that attribute of his character. Today, the President
took up the subject in order to show, that while Peter «s strong, impulsive
nature was to be admired, yet it was not from this that his greatness came,
but from his principle. It was his principle, his faith that enabled him to
follow the bent of his good impulses, and kept him from fulfilling his bad
ones. Impulse must be founded on principle, or its possessor will be a
changeable, fickle creature, tossed by everyjwrind in the direction in which it
blows. A man of principle without impulse is a sailing-vessel, constructed
Feb* 7, 1869 -3
perfectly* otherwise, but without sells, s stesmer with no fire in her
engine} a man of impulse without principle is that same vessel, fully
equipped with sails, or with the fire, yet rudderless, fc hence, at the
mercy of every wind and wave.
Well my dear brother, it is almost bed-time, and X must say good-
night* I trust this will find you well and prospering. Write to me as soon
as you can. May God guard and keep you is -he fervent prayer of your
loving sister,
Annie.
(Annie (Glidden) Houts, >69,