Vassar College
Feb. 21st 1866
My Dear Parents,
What do you think of my new paper — I bought it in Po'keepsie Sat. Will you believe me every bit of that you sent me last term is gone but one sheet. That looks as though I had written a good deal since my coming here. I think I shall have to get some more common paper for it will use this up too fast I fear with all the scribbling I do to you. I received Mother's letter yesterday and was of course delighted That with one from Kate to day are the only ones I have had this week. I have been studying the first part of this evening except a little while before study hour. The bell for the close of study hour has rung so I shall have to hurry, as usual, if I finish this to night. However it will not make any difference with me as I shall have plenty of time tomorrow if only you will not be worried if you do not receive it quite as soon as usual. I believe I mentioned in my last letter that we were to have a holiday oa Washington's birth day which as you probably know is to-morrow. Miss Lyman gave it out in Chapel this evening and also said that she wished if it would not exhaust us too much to wait until eight o 'clock for breakfast. It was perfectly unexpected and I wish you could have seen us—most of the girls clapped their hands - and there
was an "audible grin" throughout the Chapel. Then Miss Lyman said she
would like to know If we could get dressed in half an hour and so not have the rising bell rung until half alter seven. She took a vote and I^did not
see anyone with their hand down Only think we need not rise until hall-past seven and we usually have breakfast at seven. But there is one thing that we are all disappointed about aad that Is concerning the Spring vacation. The Faculty had a meeting last night and decided that it would not be best to give us any. The President told us this morning. He said they had thought it best at first to give us one but alter taking every thing into consideration decided that it would be better without it, and he gave some very good reason which it would take me too long to tell you—but I perfectly agree with him. He spoke as though they expected to do enough for us in the Spring to make up for not having the vacation and I presume we shall have some very pleasant holidays yet. They are very good about some things. You know we are to have tableaux to-morrow eve. Miss Lyman said to-night they had arranged those for the evening but nothing for the daytime thinking we would prefer to have that to ourselves. We had such a nice lecture last night by Dr. Hayes—-the one who accompanied Dr Kane on his Artie explorations and has since made a trip himself. He told us all about Icebergs Glaciers etc. and gave us some most splendid descriptions of what he saw. He lectured in Po'keepsie Monday night I believe and it is was very fortunate for us of the Geology class that he came now for Pro!. Tenney has just finished his lectures on those subjects and it was as good as a review. We are hoping to have Curtiss Friday evening* He is to lecture in Po'keepsle and they have telegraphed to see 11 he will come up here. Will it not be nice if he does? I shall be quite in love with the College if we can have so many lectures. I was very much surprised as well as sorry to hear that Hall has been sick at New Haven. There will hardly any one else have to go from Covent (?) if they all get sick. You must write me all about your company if you have had it. How I wish I could be at all those little gatherings They are just what I like so much. Have you not decided yet any thing about coming here next month 1 am so anxous to have you. I must close now for I have another letter to write this morning--- You have probably imagined e'er this that I did not have time to finish last night. I almost forgot to tell Mother the ans. to that ridd connundrum — "Hear me Norma." Don't you think it good? I have not received a letter this morning but hope to soon. I did not expect one from you this morning but shall tomorrow. Good-bye now—
From your loving daughter
Ellen