Vassar College Po'keepsle
Jan. 9th 1866
Dear Mother.
I am so tired I can hardly sit up this evening but I know you will be anxous to hear of my welfare so I will exert myself to write a few words at least. You will of course e'er this imagine we are here all right without further information on my part. We suceeded very well in making all the changes and hardly suffered from the cold at all. The only place where I was really uncomfortable was in crossing the river. We reached Newburgh about eight o'clock this morning and found the Hudson solide with no means of taking us across. So we had to walk. Mr Bartlett bundled Mollie and I up so we did not feel the cold very much but we were very glad to reach the station at Fishkill. Mr Bartlett rode out to the College with me but did not stay promising to come again soon. The girls seem delighted to see me. Jennie got here this morning and Nellie that evening. We are having a very unfortunate time here at present which I have been almost inclined to think is because I said so much while home about the delightful way in which the building was heated. The very cold weather and direction of the wind has changed all that and our rooms in common with all the rest Is below freezing temerature. The girls are allowed to go wherever they can make themselves
comfortable and 1 am now in the library and Emily studying near. They hope to have it arranged in a few days so that we may be more comfortable but as it now is it add still more to the lonesome, homesick feeling which I will this once at least confess to be very strong. Oh Mother I can hardly realise yet that I have left you for so long except by the choking sensation which has been in my throat all day and which would show itself through my eyes sometimes. But I am going to try and stand it six months more though I believe if you should say the word I should be strongly tempted to come home at the end of the five weeks, when the half year will close. Many of the girls think of leaving then I believe if possible. But I might better be in bed than writing what I suppose will
do me no good and make you feel worse. I have beea studying this after-
noon and expect to go in my classes though 1 can't expect my lessons will
be very well prepared for X am so tired that I must go to bed now. I hear
Anna Dickinson lectured in P— last week so X shall be disappointed in
that. Please send that Photo of myself which I promised Mary Cornell as I forgot it and she has asked for it. Please write soon and as much as you can for my letters will be my greatest consolation. Love to Aunt
Emily and all enquiring friends and believe
Your ever loving daughter
Ellen
Mollie wanted me to send ever so much love to you all when I wrote.