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 28, 1866
Abstract
VC Spec 1865-1866
Creator
Transcript file(s)
Subject (Topical)
Details
Identifier
vassar:25044,,Box 73,VCL_Letters_Sylvester_Helen_1865-1866_019
Extent
1 item
Type
Rights
For more information about rights and reproduction, visit http://specialcollections.vassar.edu/policies/permissionto.html
: VCLLettersSylvesterHelen18651866019001
Vassar College
Feb 28th 1866.
My dear father
I received your very welcome letter to-day to-gether
with James's and the paper.
I was very sorry to see from your letter that you considered
yourself neglected by me. I wrote you a good long letter in reply to
your little short one and expected you would answer it, but it seems
you think I am going to write three or more to your one. Now I could
not do that even if I had ever so much to write, for want of time, and
besides you know it is much worse for me to miss getting a letter than
for you for I am away from home.
Prof. Knapp has resigned his professorship - It has created a
Feb 28th 1866.
My dear father
I received your very welcome letter to-day to-gether
with James's and the paper.
I was very sorry to see from your letter that you considered
yourself neglected by me. I wrote you a good long letter in reply to
your little short one and expected you would answer it, but it seems
you think I am going to write three or more to your one. Now I could
not do that even if I had ever so much to write, for want of time, and
besides you know it is much worse for me to miss getting a letter than
for you for I am away from home.
Prof. Knapp has resigned his professorship - It has created a
: VCLLettersSylvesterHelen18651866019002
great sensation among the scholars for he was a great favourite. The
real trouble was that there was not enough attention paid to his suggestions and wishes. The course of study is not high enough to suit him.
They teach everything that can be studied here but some things such as
Greek &c are not in the regular course but there is a Greek teacher and
Greek classes. This does not suit professor Knapp and so he leaves for
various reasons probably beside.
I am very sorry he is going it will be such a loss for us - He
says he does not wish to be professor in a young ladies Seminary— that
this is nothing more than a Seminary. He says the young ladies have more than met his expectations, he has not had a student in College
real trouble was that there was not enough attention paid to his suggestions and wishes. The course of study is not high enough to suit him.
They teach everything that can be studied here but some things such as
Greek &c are not in the regular course but there is a Greek teacher and
Greek classes. This does not suit professor Knapp and so he leaves for
various reasons probably beside.
I am very sorry he is going it will be such a loss for us - He
says he does not wish to be professor in a young ladies Seminary— that
this is nothing more than a Seminary. He says the young ladies have more than met his expectations, he has not had a student in College
: VCLLettersSylvesterHelen18651866019003
better than some of his pupils but it is nonsense to call this a college
without having a higher course of study. He is a very peculiar man
and very self-willed, though a man of very great genius for languages.
He is a very fine linguist though only about thirty and looks even younger
than that. I have written you a good deal about Prof Knapp but it happened to be the great subject of the day and was all I could think of.
You will probably see something about it in the Independent though per-
haps not. It is nearly ten o'clock and I must hurry or I shall not finish my letter. I will send you my bill If Henry is not coming very soon. Please write immediately and tell me for I want some money if Henry does not come
without having a higher course of study. He is a very peculiar man
and very self-willed, though a man of very great genius for languages.
He is a very fine linguist though only about thirty and looks even younger
than that. I have written you a good deal about Prof Knapp but it happened to be the great subject of the day and was all I could think of.
You will probably see something about it in the Independent though per-
haps not. It is nearly ten o'clock and I must hurry or I shall not finish my letter. I will send you my bill If Henry is not coming very soon. Please write immediately and tell me for I want some money if Henry does not come
: VCLLettersSylvesterHelen18651866019004
soon as there are only 6 cents and a few stamps in the treasury and very soon I shall not be able even to write home. I hope he is coming. I am glad
to hear you are all well and hope my letters will be frequent as you are
all well again. We have had warm weather here too, corresponding exactly
to the weather at home I should think - I am glad James is going to be at
home for a while it will be pleasant for me
There is the last bell and I must stop. Please write If you don't
say anything but that Henry is or is not coming Just see what mis-
takes I am making. Give my love to all and write soon.
Your affectionate
daughter Ella.
to hear you are all well and hope my letters will be frequent as you are
all well again. We have had warm weather here too, corresponding exactly
to the weather at home I should think - I am glad James is going to be at
home for a while it will be pleasant for me
There is the last bell and I must stop. Please write If you don't
say anything but that Henry is or is not coming Just see what mis-
takes I am making. Give my love to all and write soon.
Your affectionate
daughter Ella.
