Vassar College.
May 23, 1871.
My dear Mamma,
The bundle of underclothing came this afternoon and now, after
having tried on the garments, I sit down to write you of their safe arrival,
and how they fit. They all fit very well and I am much pleased. If you
make any more nightdresses please make them about an Inch narrower
In front and a little less behind, this will make the neck, too, a little
smaller; you know I like things short on the shoulder and this gown will
be better a trifle shorter there. The sleeves of the chemises could be a
little shorter and the sleeve bands smaller, and I like the pattern which
I sent you of a round yoke, batter than the square one. The skirt I think
has no fault, only I would gather more another one made with the gathers
all round the band. The clothes are made beautifully. Carrie entirely
surpasses me in the management of the machine, and I shall have to take
lessons of her In the art of machining when I go home. 1 know when you
read what I have written about the underclothes you will say, "Julie is so
particular) why need she speak of these little faults when the whole is sa
nice," but if these little things are changed the clothes will be perfect.
You ask in one of your letterslif we have a lady Principal. No, we
have not, and have no idea who will be. One will be appointed for next but
until then Miss Morse does the duties of one. Our matron, who was a very
poor one* has left College and has been married. A new one, Mrs. Humphreys
has come in her place. There is an air of refinement and mystery about her,
May 23, 1871 - 2
aad many arc tha stories reported of the wealth which she has possessed
aad her sorrows which have turaed her hair grey. She looks about thirty,
but has very grey hair aad this gives rather a mysterious charm to her
face. No doubt she has beea well off for she appears to have 4a lived la
very good society. I think she will do a great deal to improve her depart*
meat of the College. I believe I have aever told you of the lecture by Mrs.
Henry Field of New York. Her subject was to have beea "French Literature,
but the Pres. asked her to chaage it to "What Freach will do for us," Mad
she did so. She told us of the writings of Mile Stvign* and of Madame de
Stael and advised us to read them and la Freach. "la the first place," she
and we need to learn
said, "they would teach us how to write lettersAbecause no American lady
kaows how to write a letter which will not be stiff. Then they would teach
us to appear better la society, and to carry oa general conversation instead
of two persons getting la a comer aad talking by themselves as is so com*
mon with Americans." But Freach aovels Mrs. Field would not have us
touch. Mrs. Field talked to us a short tim^Ln the day about theyway to leara
Freach aad talked la French. She is a native of Fraace and does not speak
English very plainly. Her talk In French was not, of course, very Intel*
llgible to me. I could occaslaaally understand a sentence, but I did not get
a very connected idea of the whole.
Now I must close with much love to all your loving daughter Julie.
iJulia M. Pease, >75,