Vassar College
Mar. 24th 1866

Dear Aunt Villa,

I think that you and Uncle John stand a great deal from me without scolding me. When I received the package I fully intended acknowledging the receipt of it the next day. But having so many new and strange duties to perform it entirely slipped my mind, I am very much pleased with all your selections. The pin and cuff buttons in particular I think are very pretty. The shoes are just what I wanted, I have never worn slippers but I intend getting some black ribbon and making rosettes for these, I think I shall like them very much then.

I presume you have seen Aunt Jennie this week in New York.
If I hear from Mother I shall probably go down with her next Thursday or Friday. There will not be regular school all next week. Many of the young ladies are going home to spend the week. I had such a nice time over there a week ago, Aunt Jennie made it so pleasant for me. It does not seem half as bad as it would If I was clear off here all alone. I am very much obliged to you for your invitation and your offer to do anything for me. I intend making several visits East before returning home next Fall and of course will want to come and see you.

I like it very much here, my room is a very pleasant one in the north wing. I can see from it Uncle George's hill, College Hill and Poughkeepsie. These with the mountains help to make up a most beautiful view. I think.
I have been introduced to the eldest Miss Graves. I have made a great many acquaintances considering that I have only been here two weeks which does not seem possible.

I am studying French. Latin, Algebra and Botany, next term I shall probably commence ecology and one or two others dropping these. The musical advantages are not very fine. I am very sorry, if we take lessons at all we are obliged to take class lessons (which are very simple) with 16 others. This, given to all at the same time is the only instruction we have from the German Prof. If we wish to take other lessons they are given to us by lady teachers plenty of whom I can obtain at home. I have written home that I think it would be a great deal better for me to hire a piano merely to keep up my practice while I am here and then when I finish here go somewhere where I can pay attention to that alone for three or six months. Don't you think it would be great deal the most advisable?

Our meals are very fine, soups, deserts, always two kinds of meats and celery, lima beans, and everything very nice. We are never less than an hour eating. At dinner everything is removed and the tablecloth brushed and the desert brought in the same as at home.

I shall probably see you next week when I will give you a full account of everything. I am very tired now as I have been writing nearly all day. Give a great deal of love to Uncle John. You know I wish you every success in going to housekeeping.

Affectionately
Fanny E. W.