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
February 14, 1875
Abstract
VC 1875
Creator
Contributor
Transcript file(s)
Subject (Topical)
Details
Identifier
vassar:24147,,Box 64,VCL_Letters_Barnes_Lucy_1875_016
Extent
1 item
Type
Rights
For more information about rights and reproduction, visit http://specialcollections.vassar.edu/policies/permissionto.html
: VCLLettersBarnesLucy1875016001
Vassar College.
Feb. 14. 1875.
My dear Mr. Barns,
Since Friday noon last I have had the most comfortable kind of a time you can imagine. We finished our examinations then and there has been nothing for us to do, even if we desired it. So I was just lazy to my hearts content - read & lounged and had a good time
generally. I made a little plan after I returned here at Christmas - that all my letters should be written during the week and that Sunday night be entirely free to do as I chose - so far my plan has worked very well, & if I had written to you yesterday as I had intended, with one exception I might say perfectly. ln a letter from Kate yesterday she spoke of seeing you at the Locust Club the other night- I hope it was a greater success that the Dickens night" at Mrs. Bancrofts. I never did think much of that "show" - and now I think still less - for since I last wrote you - we attempted something of the kind here and the contrast was remarkable. At our usual Club Supper- the members went [crossed out: the] assuming the personalities of Dicken's different characters and they kept them up wonderfully- Miss Cushing was Betsey Trotwood and she carried her ^part out to perfection. Every body did well and there was some fun in it - but the other affair seemed something of a farce —
On Thursday night of this week we had our first senior party. Mrs. Backus sent the Class and invitation to their house for said evening
Feb. 14. 1875.
My dear Mr. Barns,
Since Friday noon last I have had the most comfortable kind of a time you can imagine. We finished our examinations then and there has been nothing for us to do, even if we desired it. So I was just lazy to my hearts content - read & lounged and had a good time
generally. I made a little plan after I returned here at Christmas - that all my letters should be written during the week and that Sunday night be entirely free to do as I chose - so far my plan has worked very well, & if I had written to you yesterday as I had intended, with one exception I might say perfectly. ln a letter from Kate yesterday she spoke of seeing you at the Locust Club the other night- I hope it was a greater success that the Dickens night" at Mrs. Bancrofts. I never did think much of that "show" - and now I think still less - for since I last wrote you - we attempted something of the kind here and the contrast was remarkable. At our usual Club Supper- the members went [crossed out: the] assuming the personalities of Dicken's different characters and they kept them up wonderfully- Miss Cushing was Betsey Trotwood and she carried her ^part out to perfection. Every body did well and there was some fun in it - but the other affair seemed something of a farce —
On Thursday night of this week we had our first senior party. Mrs. Backus sent the Class and invitation to their house for said evening
: VCLLettersBarnesLucy1875016002
stated that it was to be a surprise to Prof. B.~ We learned inciden^ally that it was his birthday. He is thirty three - and thinking to have a little fun we all agreed to carry him some funny present. You never saw such a remarkable collection— The poor man was completely loaded down & still he kept asking- "have all the senior come"- as though he hoped for one or two more. Every body there, seemed to be in a very good humor and our first party will be remembered pleasantly. The next night Miss C. and I were invited in to play whist and "finish up the party". And now before I forget - I want to say [crossed out: I] ^that I think we (- I should say I for I commenced it) had better let the Backus question alone- Suppose somebody should happen to see what we have said they never would understand it - & it might occasion a little surprise- The fact is I dont think you understand me yourself and I dont think you can until you see the gentleman, [crossed out: yourself]. I was in hopes he might visit us in April next- but he is going to Boston and Miss Cushing is to have that pleasure. Last week I went in town one evening to hear Camilla Urso- in a Concert given at the Opera House. You have heard her of course, and there fore can fully appreciate how delighted we were with her. Miss Castle, a sister to the one who visited Miss Drew, is now at College and is a very good friend of mine- She has been very kind and attentive to me and to her I am indebted the pleasure of hearing Miss Urso.
: VCLLettersBarnesLucy1875016003
The young lady is very lovely & has quite won my heart- I came back this year to College resolved not to care especially for any body and like every body in general - but I fear it is not my nature and I find I have not succeeded very well. Florence and I are the the best of friends and I think with-out exception she is the most elegant girl I ever knew, Moral, intellect, ability every thing included. I see more of her that any one else - and I guess think more of her- but there is very little sentiment lost between us- Miss Castle is very different- She is much younger does not know half so much- but is very pretty- (just the style) ^you admire. has seen a good deal of society and I imagine is a great favorite with gentlemen. She is a beautiful dancer - and has just taught me the Saratoga- do you know it? It is all the rage- and if you dont, you must learn it right off.
Lissie Barrett has been visiting up the Hudson ever since before Xmas - and drove down some twenty miles the other afternoon to see me- My how she has changed- Society seems to have perfectly received her already - it just made me sad to see her. I wish you could have seen Miss Cushings greived expression when Lissie said "Why Florence I dont see how you can stay here — I just hate the sight of a book." Florence merely replied she thought her very brave to express such a sentiment.
I have just gotten hold of such a nice book- "The Conflict between Religion & Science — By Draper - have you read it? It is a new book and one wh. bids fair to be very popular*
Lissie Barrett has been visiting up the Hudson ever since before Xmas - and drove down some twenty miles the other afternoon to see me- My how she has changed- Society seems to have perfectly received her already - it just made me sad to see her. I wish you could have seen Miss Cushings greived expression when Lissie said "Why Florence I dont see how you can stay here — I just hate the sight of a book." Florence merely replied she thought her very brave to express such a sentiment.
I have just gotten hold of such a nice book- "The Conflict between Religion & Science — By Draper - have you read it? It is a new book and one wh. bids fair to be very popular*
: VCLLettersBarnesLucy1875016004
When I chance to look out the window and behold what a glorious day it is - and remember that yesterday was the same - I almost regret that I did not go to Brooklyn on Friday last — & is of course too late now to mourn and I only hope that next Friday will be as pleasant- We will go, though, whatever happens and I do hope that I may have the pleasure of presenting you to my friends- You have seen a good many Vassar girls but I doubt if you ever saw three nicer ones than Misses Cushing, Jackson, & Brown. If you "should happen to be in Brooklyn" on the 21st I shall hope to see you - at no 11 Tompkins Place - Miss Jackson's as I believe you put down last summer in your note book. So you have declined my invitation to come up here on the 22nd Now dont think I want you to come I would not have you for the world if you did not care to- but I dont believe you know half how swell it is to be. There are four hundred invitations &
more afloat over the country to all the dignitaries therein -(who are advocates of womans higher) education)' to be present- Many have already sent there acceptances and will probably address us on the occasion- Dr. Hopkins Bishop Huntingdon, Dr. Storrs, Col. Higginson, Gen. Tilden, Whitelaw Reid, James T. Fields- Geo. W. Curtis, Hon. Ira Harris, O.B. Frothingham James Freeman Clark & others were among the acceptances of yesterday- I was told when in Miss Terry's office the other morning that I must be sure to be back on Monday evening that the seniors would be
more afloat over the country to all the dignitaries therein -(who are advocates of womans higher) education)' to be present- Many have already sent there acceptances and will probably address us on the occasion- Dr. Hopkins Bishop Huntingdon, Dr. Storrs, Col. Higginson, Gen. Tilden, Whitelaw Reid, James T. Fields- Geo. W. Curtis, Hon. Ira Harris, O.B. Frothingham James Freeman Clark & others were among the acceptances of yesterday- I was told when in Miss Terry's office the other morning that I must be sure to be back on Monday evening that the seniors would be
: VCLLettersBarnesLucy1875016005
expected to escort the guests around and help entertain them- The rest of the College are to be excluded from the the show- A collation with speeches and toasts will be the entertainment of the evening- In Kate's letter yesterday she spoke of the "Internation" wh. is to come off in our City the same evening- and she seemed to be looking forward to it with much pleasure- There are to be one thousand aids, she tells me— Well, one thousand pretty girls all dressed up fine is a great inducement so probably you are not to blame for preferring their society to that of — say one hundred intellegent men — —
What do you mean about those gentleman from Boston smoking in the Library? I never said they smoked - They probably had their cigars In the pockets- but there were so many of them we could not fail to detect the oder of [crossed out: them] ^cigars after they had gone.
Have you ever seen Maggie Mitchell play "Fanchon-"? It is a very cute play- we had it here the other night - and although an amateur took Fanchon's part it was sufficiently well acted and the story just sad enough in some places to bring tears to my eyes- at wh. I suppose you would laugh- you always do. I am very glad to hear that there is some hopes of your finally getting some pictures- I did not know but you had gone back ^on me! Hoping to see you - will it be next Saturday night - (?) I will say au revoir
What do you mean about those gentleman from Boston smoking in the Library? I never said they smoked - They probably had their cigars In the pockets- but there were so many of them we could not fail to detect the oder of [crossed out: them] ^cigars after they had gone.
Have you ever seen Maggie Mitchell play "Fanchon-"? It is a very cute play- we had it here the other night - and although an amateur took Fanchon's part it was sufficiently well acted and the story just sad enough in some places to bring tears to my eyes- at wh. I suppose you would laugh- you always do. I am very glad to hear that there is some hopes of your finally getting some pictures- I did not know but you had gone back ^on me! Hoping to see you - will it be next Saturday night - (?) I will say au revoir
: VCLLettersBarnesLucy1875016006
Your friend
L.S.
Lucy (Sellers) Barnes, '75
With this I send you the Iast Miscellany Some of the articles I think are very fine but dont think you are obliged to read them just because I send it to you - I shan't ask you about them & shall not be ^any the wiser.
L.S.
Lucy (Sellers) Barnes, '75
With this I send you the Iast Miscellany Some of the articles I think are very fine but dont think you are obliged to read them just because I send it to you - I shan't ask you about them & shall not be ^any the wiser.
