Poughkeepsie OctF. 28^ 1865 My dear Mrss. Hale It was only last evening your name was alluded to in r a conversation with two of your citizens at my domicil, Doct... Malcom and Doct Hans ell Baptist Clergymen who came to Pofkeepsie to see our Col- lege and its workings &c. I went out with them yesterday Dining with the Presl. Miss Lyman LadyPrincipal and some 3 to 400 young Lady pupils the exact number now in the College I thin is 380 and a more intelligent gathering of young Misses cannot be found in any Country---- I visit the College almost daily (except Rainy days &.Sundayf) on the in 5 years latter I have never seen the grounds or buildings untill last Sabbath three weeks ago, when I attended the first Religious Services in the Chapel & a more interesting and impressive service I never attended in my life- Mrs. Hale I do wish you had been present but I suppose I must deny myself the pleasure of seeing you in Po, until after the change of the College Title which will certainly be accomplished next Winter----- I shall be much pleased to see your forth-coming article in the JanY. No of the Lady1 Book on "Domestic Economy" I am resolved to intriduce practically that science of Instruction in "Vassar College11 as soon as possible-- We are now erecting an extensive Building for Gym- nastic Exercises-, Riding School, &c-, costing some $40,000-----Thus far every thing goes on well, but we find our terms of Tuition & Board too low for the inflated prices of Living when the war closed we thought values of 278 Oct. 28, 1865 - 2 home productions would materialy decline, but in this we have been disappointed & shall be oblig to advance our terms after the first half year. Some familys are availing themselves of our Cheap Board &c without any special reference to the Educational charges. Since writing the foregoing I am reminded of an article which appeared in several public Journals last July written by some gentleman visitor to the College from which a few copies was struck off here, I enclose you one of them-- I will send you in a few days the particulars of the Profesships &c, I have mailed to yF address tp-day two Copies of our last "Prospectus"-----1 have found another article of later date about our College - I endbse it &c----- I remain Dear Mrs Hale Yours verry truly &c M, Vassar P.S. May I not ask you to make a reference in your forth coming JanY article to the low terms of our College for tuition & Board - particular the latter, and the contemplated advance the next College term-- MV 279 .44(