Vassar College.
March 29, 1871.
Oear Papa,
I have just come from a most Interesting meeting of the "Students
Association,1* and must tell you of the matters there discussed. The
"Association" was organised by the students, (and sanctioned by the
Facility)* for considering affairs of interest to them, and to this none
but students are allowed to come. The Faculty have to be informed of
know
the object of one of these meetings before we can have one, but theyAnothing
of what is done at them. Several years ago the students adopted a poor girl
and have since been educating her at a very good school in this state. As
she is far enough advanced to enter the College and gives promise of talent,
some of the students thought it best to have her come hero if the Faculty
were willing, and so submitted the matter to them. Their answer was
that they were not willing, and that hereafter we could do nothing for the
girl, nor give charity in any organised manner. Of course we were sur-
prised and a good deal provoked, for the sum each one pays for the educa-
tion of Mary is only twenty five cents, and immediately asked for their
reasons. The object of the meeting this evening, was the giving of these
reasons by the President. He said that their reason was the objection our
parents would make. The catalogue does net state there is any such
charitable object to be aided by the students of Vassar College, and although
we are not compelled to give anything towards it, of course those who do
not, are regarded differently from the others.
Mar* 29, 1871 -2
The plan ol educating this little girl has been very dear to most
ol us and it is very hard to have to give it up. We can now do anything we
wish lor her separately, but it is only by uniting them that so small sums
will be ol any value. Other business was done In the meeting—the prepar-
ing ol a programme lor Founders Day, the twenty ninth ol April. The one
that has been decided upon is to have Henry Ward Beecher lecture to us
i! we can get him, otherwise we will have Pro!. Raymond, who is a brother
ol the president, read to us and linlsh out our programme with music and
two tableaux. Thursday night. Tonight there is to be a coacert here under
the direction oI Pro!. Bitter. Musicians are coming from New York and
the two linest performers ol the College, two teachers, are to play. It
will be something very grand, we are told. Tomorrow at twelve oclock
our vacation begins. I can hardly wait lor the time to com&j Vt w ill be sc
feel that I
nice for a little while to^have nothing to do; that the^e ?s >70 m us-t abou-t
getting up in the morning and learning and reciting lessons. You know
at home I have always done just about as I pleased and now it is very hard
for me to be compelled to do a thing.
I intend to keep on drawing during the holidays but that is all la the
studying line which I shall do. I have finished a copy of the bust of Diana
and have commenced one of Apollo. These are pictures which teach us to
they
draw and are not for ornaments. There is no beauty in them and^111 never
to to exhibit, so that now if you could take a look in my folio you would see
Mar* 29* 1871 -3
there nothing very pretty or interesting———
One day last week we were astonished by a snowstorm* The ground
was well covered and it is only today that all traces of the snow have van-
ished* The weather is so warm that we can now go out on the lake and so
I
I have joined a boat club* W e have been out only twice* andAhave not yet
attempted rowing. My business is steering and I find I am kept pretty
busy. Our Latin teacher is very often advising us to buy a "Diet, of Anti-
quities." What do you think of her advice? It would be a very useful book
to have here and also at home, for I think we have none. I often think new
that I did not appreciate our library at home. Very few families have so
fine a one as we have. Last week I received four letters from home and
on the same day. Tours written at Columbus and the others from Mamma
and Carrie* I wish I could choose the watch for Carrie's birthday present,
but cannot as her birthday comes some time before school closes. Will
you not get a charm to go with it? The fashionable ones are made long
and go around the neck. Give my love to all and accept much yourself from
your loving daughter
Julie.
(Julia M. Pease, '75)