Vassar.
May 19, 1872.

Dearest sister,

After having written to Mamma, I find I have both time and inclination for a letter to you. Now, you have a surplus of my letters from me but soon I fear there will be a dearth. It is my nature to do things by fits and starts. It is raining now, or rather drizzling, and would make us somewhat blue, only we keep thinking that rain will make our trip to Lake Mohonk next week, much pleasanter. For our trip was put off until next Friday, the Seniors and Juniors going day before yesterday. They have come back with stories of their excursion painted in the brightest colors, so that we lookers forward are with difficulty curbing our impatience. That we must break the eggs for our morning omelette, wash and wipe dishes besides waiting on the table, we do not, in the least, mind. The row on the lake afterwards will fully compensate. But I must leave all descriptions of the doings at Lake Mohonk until I have "seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears" all its wonders. At present, I can only speak from report, but they are indeed flattering.

When you come North will it yet give you great pleasure to fill your trunks with moss ? I wish it would, for people here consider out brown mess a great treasure, and the pretty green mess would certainly be a priceless gem in their estimation. Dr. Avery's parlor takes me back to home every time I go in. She has quantities of the long moss hanging from corners, bracket, etc. and I wish she could have some of the other. Then Aunt Juliet would like some very much. Please don't forget the cactus pins, Auntie would scarcely forgive you. 

I have something else to ask you to bring in. That piece of music from "Bohemian Girl." It is "I dreamt I dwelt in Marble Halls." Auntie wants me to learn it for her. And if you do not need those old time spectacles will you bring them on and lend them to me. I have to wear glasses when I practise unless the room is very light.

 Cliffie Loverin told me, the other day, that Mrs. Ball from Galveston was acquainted with you. Did you meet her this last winter, and is she pleasant? She lives in Po'keepsie during the summer, and is there now.

 Our Botany class has to analyse twenty flowers and I have now done now nineteen. I am so glad, because now that I do not have to do them I shall enjoy it. Yesterday, I was out all the morning gathering flowers; in the afternoon I pressed and in the evening analyzed so that I had enough of flowers for one day. There was a very fine Concert here Wednesday. I send the Catalogue. 

Goodnight darling. Julie