Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Access Control
Date
September 30, 1866
Abstract
VC 1868
Creator
Transcript file(s)
Subject (Topical)
Details
Member of
Identifier
vassar:25194,,Box 63,VCL_Letters_Warner_Martha-S_1868_050
Extent
1 item
Type
Rights
For more information about rights and reproduction, visit http://specialcollections.vassar.edu/policies/permissionto.html
: VCLLettersWarnerMarthaS1868050001
Vassar College
Sept. 30, 1866.
My dearest Mother,
How busy you must Be with your house so full, how I wish I could be in two places at once. I am very anxious to see Uncle and Aunt, having heard you speak of them so often - I hope that they will make you a long visit, and that Aunt Mary will stay with you indefinitely - Dr. Wilks of Montreal is here, and will preach for us - I liked him very much better than I expected, this morning in chapel, not being prejudiced in his favor. Has he had four or five wives? He is a perfect specimen of Johnny Bull. He was Miss Lyman's pastor for twenty seven years, so that of course she is delighted to see him -
Sept. 30, 1866.
My dearest Mother,
How busy you must Be with your house so full, how I wish I could be in two places at once. I am very anxious to see Uncle and Aunt, having heard you speak of them so often - I hope that they will make you a long visit, and that Aunt Mary will stay with you indefinitely - Dr. Wilks of Montreal is here, and will preach for us - I liked him very much better than I expected, this morning in chapel, not being prejudiced in his favor. Has he had four or five wives? He is a perfect specimen of Johnny Bull. He was Miss Lyman's pastor for twenty seven years, so that of course she is delighted to see him -
: VCLLettersWarnerMarthaS1868050002
I think it would be advisable for me to tell him after chapel, that I dont at all approve of his beloved daughter-in-law. We have been seated in Chapel - the Seniors and Juniors by themselves, the common herd alphabetically - You don't know how ridiculously we all feel poking up to the very front seats, where we sit directly under the President's eye, where he can watch us contentedly. We proposed to the class the expediency of putting on our best dresses, and a quantity of artificial flowers in our hair, and marching in five minutes late this afternoon, In alphabetical order, thereby producing an impression. Strange to say however our proposition was not looked upon with decided favor. Did I tell you that I am a Junior now? We have a new French teacher who is very disagreeable - He speaks very little English, although he understands it; he is very cross, and impatient, if any
: VCLLettersWarnerMarthaS1868050003
one doesn't understand what he says the first time, he grows wrathy, immediately, which isn't fair, as he speaks very indistinctly. Perhaps we will like him better in time. The girls like the two Madames very much. Helen is in our Horace class as well as Hattie, I guess she'll get along well - It is so odd to have three sisters in the same class, sitting in a row. I sat by Miss Stoddard as long as I could, but Friday we were seated. I like her very much, she is very quiet and sweet- Prof. Tenney has returned. His Father was somewhat better when he left, but still very dangerous. He was very much afraid some little thing would make him worse, In which case there would be no hope. He said that the New Hampshire forests were a perfect blase of beauty - that they never looked so bright to him before. The trees here are just beginning to turn, but some of them are very beautiful. Helen
: VCLLettersWarnerMarthaS1868050004
attempted to paint one of the leaves the other day, but failed signally. We have taken some beautiful walks lately. Monday we went to Cedar Ridge, a beautiful spot. Friday to Sunrise Hill, where we had a grand view of all the country round. Mr. Mitchell had lent us his opera glass, which added much to our enjoyment. We went in our gymnastic suits, which, are just the dresses for long walks. It was so good to see Mr. King! I wanted to hug him - The day he was here we had a most unhappy season at dinner - At our table we had to wait, after we sat down till our meat (mutton chops) could be cooked, then it came so raw no one could eat it, and not enough to go around the table, two more chops were brought after cooking, but even then all were not served, and we could have no more "as the fire had gone out, and two tables had had nothing" - We were as badly off for potatoes, but fortunately had plenty of bread and
: VCLLettersWarnerMarthaS1868050005
tomatoes, which some tables were entirely without. At a quarter of two. Miss Lyman learned the state of affairs, and then her wrath burned high. I never saw her look so angry as when she sailed out of the dining room after the steward, who had not appeared during the meal. I think the unhappy man received a blessing on that occasion, as we have had better food, since then both in quality, and quantity - He is a very disagreeable man, and cordially detested by all who know him. I had a letter from Charlie yesterday, he seemed in high spirits, had just returned to New York after his summer vacation. I don't think he said any thing worth repeating. Miss Gilbert wanted we should tell Father that Asa Nurse represents Pittsford in the Legislature this winter. I suppose Father is deep In the coming election, and that both he and Willie spend their time at political
: VCLLettersWarnerMarthaS1868050006
meetings of all kinds. I know nothing about the torn affairs are taking, seeing as I do few papers, and paying but slight attention to the politics of those - The marrying and giving in marriage seems to have begun with vigor in Detroit. How I wish that I was there to see. We are all progressing finely - Helen has joined the Literary Society, as she ought to in all respectability - I have made that white cambric skirt and worn it three times, the weather has been very warm - My sewing is all done except the velvet on my wrapper. I have worn my bonnet twice, once to call on Mrs. Knapp, and once to church. I should like to keep on writing all night, but I can't, and must stop. Give quantities of love to every one. Tell Willie to continue in the good way of letter writing he has begun. His letters are a perfect comfort. How much I would give to kiss and hug you -
Your loving daughter Mattie
Your loving daughter Mattie
