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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: November 15, 1866
Text: Vassar College- Nov. 15, 1866- My dearest Mother, I was delighted to receive your letter, how good it was of you to write to me - We are so much rejoiced to hear such good news of your eyes. I hope that they will continue to increase in strength, until they are as well as they used to be before. You don't know how astonished I was to hear your news of Sarah. I was so positive that nothing of the kind was the matter with her, that I could scarcely believe my eyes. Do tell me all the...
Show moreVassar College- Nov. 15, 1866- My dearest Mother, I was delighted to receive your letter, how good it was of you to write to me - We are so much rejoiced to hear such good news of your eyes. I hope that they will continue to increase in strength, until they are as well as they used to be before. You don't know how astonished I was to hear your news of Sarah. I was so positive that nothing of the kind was the matter with her, that I could scarcely believe my eyes. Do tell me all the particulars as soon as possible. Nov. 21. I wrote thus far last Wednesday but was prevented from finishing it, and have not been able yet to finish it, but I am going to now any way - We are having a beautiful time prepar-ing for our public meeting which is to take place next Monday week. If Father thinks best I shall enjoy staying here very much although of course I am very anxious to see Burlington and its inhabitants once more. I don't know whether we shall have to pay board or not, but I think it altogether more probable that we will. When you send the box will you please send that large shell comb of Aunt Rebecca's? I want it very much, and will take excellent care of it. What is the matter with George Pomeroy? Your letter to Helen said that he was very low if alive. Is it not very sudden? I had not heard of him being ill - I don't know whether any one could mourn for him or not. If his mind had been unimpaired I think that he would have made a fine man - He was a very smart boy. As it is, I could hardly be sorry for him, or for the girls, his life, if helives, must be a terrible burden to himself, if not an utter blank, and a constant cause of anxiety to his friends - If he dies please tell me all about his sickness and the family, please do any way. Has Mrs. Pomeroy quite recovered? How is Sarah's health? We received Mr. Ballard's letter today. How very kind of him to write, and of you to ask him - I think the motto a beautiful one. You heard it did you not? "Per aspera, ad astra," "Through trials to glory." The girls like it very much, but we are going to get several together before we decide upon any. Did you read his letter? It was a very kind one, but I must say I dont fancy the idea of a dock in church. The church was what he meant by the "audience room" was it not? Did you hear that Italian lecture? I hope that he presentiment is a true one, and that the Pope will leaveRome before the close of the year, but I must say that I have little faith in such predictions - He seems to me very much like a fixture - Get me a felt hat please. Mother, a real pretty shape, turban if they are prettiest, and please send me my felt turban that I foolishly left behind me. Auntie and little Mary have left I suppose. I am very glad that they made you such a good long visit, & I wish that some one else would come and make you another while Father is gone. Otherwise how forlorn you will be. How did you ever come to take tea at the Colburn's? Has the old lady grown gracious? or what? Do tell us what you are going to do for Thanksgiving? Who are you going to have to dinner? What are you going to have to eat? &c &c. I am hungry and want to hear of some good things to eat. I suppose that we are to have some kind of a dinner, and a Shakspeare reading in the evening. Coming as it does just before our public meetingit was not considered necessary to have any thing much - Give a great deal of love to all the people who want it. Father, Willie, Sarah, &c - I hope that your eye is quite well now. I am very sorry that I let so long a time elapse between my last letter and this, and never mean to do so any more. With a great deal of love, and a great many kisses, I am Your humble servant, M.S.W.
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: November 25, 1866
Text: Vassar College. Nov. 25, 1866 My dearest Mother, Your letter filled me with delight. It always seems as though you had made such an effort to write to me that your letters are doubly precious. I am very sorry that you should have worked so hard getting Auntie and little Mary ready to leave. Are you quite rested now? Have they gone yet? I had a letter from Miss Gilbert yesterday, in which she said that Katie Penfield was in all probability at my Mother's. How glad you must have been to...
Show moreVassar College. Nov. 25, 1866 My dearest Mother, Your letter filled me with delight. It always seems as though you had made such an effort to write to me that your letters are doubly precious. I am very sorry that you should have worked so hard getting Auntie and little Mary ready to leave. Are you quite rested now? Have they gone yet? I had a letter from Miss Gilbert yesterday, in which she said that Katie Penfield was in all probability at my Mother's. How glad you must have been to see her. I hope she will make you a nice visit, and that no other person will dare to show his or her nose inside of the house while she stays. By-the-way don't youthink that Miss Penfield would feel complimented if she should see the manner in which I spoke of her a few lines higher up. Never mind, she'll never know, and I certainly meant no harm when I wrote it - How is George? I feel very anxious to hear from him. How do the family feel about him. Thanksgiving Day is almost here is it not? I hope you will each eat a double portion of dinner to make up for us - As for us, I don't know what we are to have but we have engaged Clara Glover to carve our turkey, the terrible thought has just crossed my mind that perhaps they won't give us a turkey! horrible! What I would have given if Mr. Curtis had only seen Father. Wouldn't he have been wrathy to meet him marching around his College? I wonder if Aunt Martha still considers Galesburg far superior to Vassar College. I wonder ifMr. what's-his-name, that resident clergyman, will go and tell Mr. Curtis what Father said about him - Wasn't Mrs. Ballard's letter good? likewise her husbands. I am more and more surprised and astonished at their kindness in writing to us. I shall certainly write to them as soon as I have an opportunity. I wish I could hear him preach this afternoon - We are going to have the Episcopal service here this afternoon - I know I shall enjoy it very much. Mr. Scarborough is a very earnest christian and a good speaker. I decidedly agree with you in not caring to change places with Dr. Hogarth's people. I am glad that your visit with those children was so successfully completed. Where is Bloomfield? I never heard of it before. It seems to me that my relatives have a peculiar fancy for Illinois - Horace Halleck is married, as ofcourse you know. One of the girls here is acquainted with his wife, or rather her sister is, and she wrote her a long account of the wedding - I pity the poor woman he has married. Don't you? I combed Helen's hair this morning, and you can't imagine what an improvement is is - I should like to do it every day if it didn't take too long - I must stop now, and get ready for church, or chapel rather - O Mother! how I wish you could hear Prof. Knapp in our Testament class - He is one of the best Christian men I ever saw. Prof. Tenney wants to get that Mastodon for the College, but has few hopes of success - I must stop now, for I am in a great hurry - Yours with much love Mattie S. W. I forgot to send my love to all the people but of course they will take it for granted.
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: December 06, 1866
Text: Vassar College, Dec. 6, 1866. My dear, dear Mother, Many thanks for your letter. I think you are so good to write us such nice long letters. Thank Father too, please, and tell him that I shall answer, his pathetic lamentation as soon as my nerves are sufficiently composed, and my hand steady - And now, in order to explain the hieroglyphic state of my chirography let me inform you that gymnastics are the cause of all my troubles. I have grown so very agile by means of skipping, leaping, and...
Show moreVassar College, Dec. 6, 1866. My dear, dear Mother, Many thanks for your letter. I think you are so good to write us such nice long letters. Thank Father too, please, and tell him that I shall answer, his pathetic lamentation as soon as my nerves are sufficiently composed, and my hand steady - And now, in order to explain the hieroglyphic state of my chirography let me inform you that gymnastics are the cause of all my troubles. I have grown so very agile by means of skipping, leaping, and twisting over at the gymnasium, that I considered myself ably fitted to perform any feat of strength for which I felt an inward longing. Alas! my Mother! the heart is deceitful above all things &c -Saturday evening when returning from a rehearsal in the Chapel, feeling some what weary and not seeing the exact position of the staircase, owing the darkness, I attempted to put my gymnastics to practical use & fly, the result would have been most gratifying but for the intervention of a most stupid wall against which I most inoportunely bumped, and in consequence of which I lay on my = back all day Sunday and Monday feeling very much as I imagine a prize fighter might after losing the belt - Monday evening however I went up to the chapel, where some kind friends had arranged an easy chair for me, in the gallery, so that I heard all the exercises, and was only debarred from the pleasure of pushing them performers onto the stage. They went on however just as well without me, being impelled by the active tongue and arms of Miss Sarah Glazier - I am almost as wellas ever now with the exception of the slight shakiness which makes my hand writing so peculiar - But I feel firmly convinced that if that wall had not opposed I might have been flying gracefully onward, even to this day - I am very much obliged obliged to you for our hats, they are beautiful - I always had a weakness for willow plumes. But Mother dear, I am very sorry that you sent me your muff, it was very kind of you, but that squirrel one looks very respectable and I can't bear to think of you without it - If we don't go to Burlington I shall send it back immediately. The vails are beautiful - I have no doubt that my hat will be very becoming to me, but I have not had my hair curled since it came (Saturday evening), and therefore have not tried it on - I am so thankful that you have seen Katie Penfield once more. How I wishthat she could have stayed longer - Many thanks to Mr. Colburn for the agate - How are they all? I received a paper from Carrie a day or two ago, containing a long synopsis of Mr. Ballards Sermon. It looks good but I have had no time to write read it - We also had one from Father this morning. It seems more home like than anything else to see papers around the room - I am very glad that you saw poor little Barbara. Please give my love to her if you ever see her again. I think my Sunday School class in that Mission School gave me more pleasure than any twenty I could teach now. I have no doubt that Helen would have been delighted to accept her invitation to tea, if she could have received it a trifle sooner - Why didn't you telegraph - I do want to see you very much Mother dear, but just think! a third of the time is already gone! I must stop now, for I am some tired and I want to write to Willie - Much love to all - Your daughter Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: December 16, 1866
Text: Vassar College Dec. 16, 1866 My dearest Mother, Yesterday was Helen's birthday and she is now fairly launched into middle life. Hattie gave her a little white frame with that picture of a stagg in it. It is very pretty indeed. I gave her a little poem by Bayard Taylor, "The Picture of St. John." Yesterday afternoon Mr. Wheeler came into our room carrying in his hand a most desolate looking bandbox, with a string tied round it, thereby supporting the top and bottom which would...
Show moreVassar College Dec. 16, 1866 My dearest Mother, Yesterday was Helen's birthday and she is now fairly launched into middle life. Hattie gave her a little white frame with that picture of a stagg in it. It is very pretty indeed. I gave her a little poem by Bayard Taylor, "The Picture of St. John." Yesterday afternoon Mr. Wheeler came into our room carrying in his hand a most desolate looking bandbox, with a string tied round it, thereby supporting the top and bottom which would otherwise have fallen off. He looked at it a minute doubtfully, and said "Miss Dickinson? " Miss Dickinson took it and opened it, and found therein a lovely little black velvet bonnet. The only di-rection on it was "From A. M. Macadam Minnie L. Dickinson, Vassar College, Po'keepsie, N.Y." It didn't even say by express, or any thing to signify how it came. I suppose that her mother had them send it from there to save the trouble of sending it from home. It is a beauty, but Minnie considers it extremely foolish, for she brought beautiful velvet for a hat. I wore my hat and veil yesterday and it looked very pretty and becoming. Helen's is very becoming indeed, and she looks very well. I think that she has grown fleshy. While I was sick Miss Lyman sent me Miss Fiske's "Recollections of Mary Lyon." I think that you would enjoy reading it very much. There are a great many of her evening talks, or chapel talks, or wherever it was that you all used to assemble. I didn't read much in it, but I thought you would like it exceedingly - She also sent me an English magazinein which was an advertisement of a young ladies school which had the sentence "For gentlemen's daughters only" Aren't the English contemptible? I am thankful that I am not one. I had a letter from Sarah Thursday. She told me all about George's illness. Poor fellow! what a sad life he was. Do they wear very heavy mourning? How is Sarah now? Isn't Mrs. William's death sad? Her husband must feel very badly - He will be another widower for Mrs. Taylor to exercise her talents upon. Are they going to continue housekeeping? I should think Mrs. Avery would go and keep house for them. Only four days more before the holidays commence! Several of the Detroit girls are going home. I think they are very foolish, for, setting aside the question of expense it is a very tedious journey, and takes so long that the girls will have no more than to get well shaken out before they have to start home again - or rather back - Then they will be so forlornly home sick for several weeks. I must say that as far as we have been any service or comfort to those girls, they might have been in Egypt. I have never been in to Fannie King's room but twice or three times, since the first week. I have never been to see Delia Howard but once, and Cornelia Penfield not more than three or four times. I don't know why I'm sure - except that there is so little time for any visiting, and every time we go any where almost, it is into our dear Prof. Tenney'- It is so pleasant and homelike there, and they are always so glad to see u- How are all the people getting along at home? Next Christmas I hope youll have some daughters at home, to help make things pleasant - And the year after! Won't it be glorious when I am fairly graduated and at home! Wait till you see the dignity which I shall bear next year as a Senior! As it is this year the Juniors overshadowing the Seniors by reason of numbers are obliged to carry double dignity - We have very pleasant times indeed. I never knew before how one's feeling for one's class becomes. We wantto stop at Pittsford by all means and supposed that included in Vermont. I think it would be all together too much to ask Katie to keep us for two weeks, when Sarah and Jennie are also there. We mean to be in Pittsford at the same time that Minnie is, and I know that we shall have a very gay time indeed - Minnie is going to spend part of the time with Miss Gilbert, & part at Yonkers, with Lillie Beers, a little friend of hers, who almost worships her. I think that the vacation is very opportune, for we are all tired and need rest and change. Please give a great deal of love to all, and a great deal to yourself. Your loving daughter Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: December 23, 1866
Text: Burlington Dec. 23 [1866] My dear Mother, Here we are in our native city once more, enjoying ourselves highly. Katie is just a charming as can be, likewise her husband and little girl - Mrs. Pease waited over from Wednesday till Saturday noon in order to see us. She hasn't changed a particle, and doesn't look any older to us. Jennie was with her, she is just eight years old, and the resemblance between her and Mattie is very striking, although her eyes are dark. Unfortunately we...
Show moreBurlington Dec. 23 [1866] My dear Mother, Here we are in our native city once more, enjoying ourselves highly. Katie is just a charming as can be, likewise her husband and little girl - Mrs. Pease waited over from Wednesday till Saturday noon in order to see us. She hasn't changed a particle, and doesn't look any older to us. Jennie was with her, she is just eight years old, and the resemblance between her and Mattie is very striking, although her eyes are dark. Unfortunately we missed connections at Troy and were delayed some what on the way from Troy to Rutland, so that we reached Burlington in the morning instead of evening, so that we saw less of Mrs. Pease than we otherwise should - Sarah iscoming Wednesday - Mrs. Pease seemed very glad to see us, as did Katie also. They thought they would have known Hattie and Helen, but not me - Katie doesn't look at all as I expected. She is taller, and larger, and lighter, and much more lively -She looks more like you, and appears more like you than any one I ever saw - The house is very pleasant and she seems delightfully situated - Burlington doesn't look much as I thought it did, except on the hill. Hattie and Helen have much more perfect reccollections of the place and people than I have, but remember the College and surroundings, and a few places which we passed coming up to the house. Mrs. Catlin and Rebecca Wheeler called yesterday. Mrs. Catlin insists upon our making her a visit, she says that we must come bag and baggage and stay. So we intend going there Saturda- Rebecca Wheeler is as tall as Libbie TownI should think - She spent a day at Vassar last June and didn't know that we were ther- Wasn't it a shame? She went to see Miss Fessenden, one of the teachers. She has invited us to take tea with her Wednesda- I liked her appearance very much. Lucia Wheeler is quite well now, and is president of a home for destitute boys of which she is very fond, and for which she spends all her time. Mrs. Wheeler, Lucia, Rebecca, John's children, and Mrs. Wheeler's little boy comprise the family. George is married and lives here some wher- I have not seen our old house yet. I have forgotten who lives there. No I haven't it is Prof. Buckham. Katie attends the new church. Helen and Hattie went this morning, but I did not feel like it - Katie plays the organ. The College is better off than it was. There is a freshman class of twenty. They like the President Mr. Angel very much -Mr. Kent called here yesterday morning. I can't say that I felt pleased to see him, but he behaved quite well - He went to Montpeiler with Mrs. Pease - Katie's husband has a brother here Lincoln by name - He reminds me of Tom Pease, although he has dark eyes & hair - We shall have a delightful visit - I am very thankful that I came - They have a horse & carriage and Katie is going to take us out riding - Unfortunately the little snow which there is here is being thawed by rain - Hattie & Helen have returned from church - They saw a Mr. Hickcock whom Hattie recognized and Dr. Marsh whom they both knew - They didn't speak with either of them, but Katie asked Mr. Hickcock if he knew the young ladies she had with her, and he said he ought to know one from the resemblance she bore her father and the other from that to her mother. Poor unhappy me, who look like nobody nobody knows - Hattie and Helen send a great deal of love - I shall write again very soon, and I presume Hattie will also - Write to me as soon as you can please and tell me all about Christmas. I am afraid that you will find it rather solitary - But then think of next year -They have all inquired very affectionately about you all at home — Good bye dear - Give my love and a Merry Christmas to all the people for us - I hope that you will keep well all winter, and do if you can have some one with you will Father is gone - It seemed so funny to go through Fair Haven Caselton and Pittsford - Love to every body. Your daughter Mattie S. W Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all.
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: December 13, 1866
Text: Burlington Dec. 30./66 My dear, dear Mother, We received your delightful letter this morning at breakfast. It was very kind of you to write us such a good long letter, and tell us every thing. We are at Mr. Catlin's now, we came here yesterday (Saturday) afternoon, and certainly I never was in a more delightful house. Our vacation has been perfect so far - I suppose that by this time you have received my letter written last Sunday, telling you of our safe arrival in Burlington and how...
Show moreBurlington Dec. 30./66 My dear, dear Mother, We received your delightful letter this morning at breakfast. It was very kind of you to write us such a good long letter, and tell us every thing. We are at Mr. Catlin's now, we came here yesterday (Saturday) afternoon, and certainly I never was in a more delightful house. Our vacation has been perfect so far - I suppose that by this time you have received my letter written last Sunday, telling you of our safe arrival in Burlington and how pleasantly they are situated at Mr. Benedicts. Monday we had a very pleasant day, although a quiet one, in the evening the rest of them went to hear Colfax, but I staid at home and enjoyed myself reading and playing backgammon with little Mary, who much to my astonishment, and nota little to my chagrin, beat me badly each time. After the family came home they read aloud some long letters just received from Mr. & Mrs. Benedict - They seemed in very good spirits, but anxious to return. Mrs. Benedict is sure that they are both of them much better and almost ready for home again. Christmas day was very pleasant, at breakfast the presents were put on the plates. Katie gave each of us a book. To Helen she gave a very pretty copy of Tennyson, bound in library style, with marble paper and calf edges. To Hattie, a copy of Longfellow's new poem "Fleur de Luce", it's a beautiful book. I received a "Snow Bound", a green one. Wasn't she good? We gave her nothing, as we preferred to wait till New Years, so that if she didn't want to give us any she wouldn't feel obliged to and we could tell better what to get her. We are going to give her some thing to put on a beautiful bracket which she has, and which she is very anxious to fill. Hattiehas made her a pretty little head fixing, and I have made one like it for Sarah - Christmas morning Katie, Mr. Benedict and I went to the Episcopal church. Bishop Hopkins preached. The music, which we went to hear, was very fine. We had a very nice dinner, oysters and turkey, and while it was in progress Mr. Catlin called to see us. He seemed very glad to see us, and asked a great many questions about Detroit and Detroit people. We had a delightful evening, during which Katie played the piano, while her husband, accompanied her upon the flute, and Mr. Lincoln Benedict accompanied her with his violin, the music was beautiful, and unappreciative as we are, we enjoyed it very much. The next day Miss Abbott from next door called upon us, and Miss Buckham sister of the Prof. also Mr. and Mrs. Angel. Mr. Angel is president of the College - He said that he had often heard Father spoken of - I forgot to say that at church we met Mrs. Allen. She utterly scouted the idea of my being the full grown plant which she had known in embryo, but condescended to express great pleasure at seeing me, and gave me an urgent invitation to call and see her - Charlie Allen I saw at a distance. He is grown up of course, and has been engaged for a dozen years, more or less, to Nellie Lyman. Wednesday about six o'clock Sarah arrived, and I immediately recognized a kindred spirit - She seems more and more natural to me, the more I see her. We roomed together and had the gayest possible time. I hated to leave there so soon after she came, altho' we had been there quite as long as I should suppose would have been convenient for Katie. Thursday we visited all day, and talked of making calls, which owing to a slight inclemency in the weather were deferred until the next day - Thursday evening is their church meeting and after it Mattie Buckham came in again to see Sarah. Friday the thought of calls was dispelled by a blinding storm of snow, of which you have probably read accounts if you did not feel it yourself. The snow was very deep, and walking almost impossible - but toward evening the snow stopped falling, and we went up to Sarah Frances' to tea, that is we girls. Mr. Benedict's man drove us up, and Mr. Benedict himself drove us home - I must confess that the sleighing was poor, the snow having drifted so that bynot considering it exactly the thing for us all to leave her the first evening. I believe they had a very pleasant time - The family live in the same house. Mrs. Wheeler devoting her energies to bringing up John's children - Mary Torrey called Friday. Hattie thinks that she looks older than Miss Mitchell - Katie is going to make a little company for us tomorrow night. I'll tell you about it next time I write - Mrs. Angel called on Mrs. Catlin after we came yesterday, and invited us to receive New Years' calls with her, an honor which we respectfully declined. Mrs. Catlin doesn't receive calls, on account of the death of a niece of Mr. Catlin's who has lived with them most of the time since they came into the house, Miss Myra Catlin. Her death seems to have affected Mrs. Catlin very much, especially at this season of the year, as she had been with them for four Christmases - She was only twenty years old and had attended Mrs. Worcester's school. She died last October, andMrs. Catlin neither invites company nor makes calls. Of course both Mr. & Mrs. Catlin are anxious to hear all the Detroit news, and I told them last night every thing I could think of about every body. This morning Mr. Catlin brought down a beautiful paper weight of black slate set with most exquiste mosaics, a large one of St. Peter's Church in the center and eight smaller ones around it, which he said he brought from Rome for Father, but had never had an opportunity to send him, and so would give it to us to take to him. It is just about the size of "Snow Bound" only much thicker. The mosaics are perfect. The shading are as delicate as in a fine painting, and the designs are very beautiful and interesting, being mostly of Roman ruins - It is certainly a very beautiful and valuable present - Their house is delightful, and full of reminiscences of their travels. I do think that fewer pictures would look bet-ter in the parlor, but elsewhere there are none too many. Mrs. Catlin has grown old some what, and Mr. Catlin's beard is whiter, otherwise they seem precisely the same - I think they enjoy seeing us quite as much as we do them. As for Katie Benedict's I am in love with them altogether - Katie is charming, I do certainly believe that there never was another such child as her Mary, and words fail me when I think of her husband - He is just as good a husband as she and the rest of the family deserve and that is the most I could say for any man. As for your Christmas Mother dear, if the good wishes sent westward that, and every morning could make it so, it must have been a very merry one - Willie's letter did me a great deal of good, and certainly I shall answer it at the first opportunity. He fared beautifully did he not? His letter seemed full of gratitude to the kind hand that had filled his cup of happiness so full. Ah Mother! I wish that we could all of us give you some expression of the dear, dear love we feel for you - Willie didn't tell me who gave you the mirror, nor what one of Father's he referred to. I muststop and dress for dinner, altho' I haven't said a third of all I want to - But I shall write again very soon and say some more things then. Love to Father, tell him that his memory seems very green in Burlington yet. I must say that I suspect that any attention we have received here is much more on his account than our own. Miss Foote is to be congratulated. Thank Father for his note on the envelope did he mean Mr. Howard? Mr. Kent seemed quite exercised about June. He was also deeply impressed with the fact that Tom Pease seemed matrimonially inclined, and calledupon Sarah in Montpeiler, apparently for the purpose of impressing uponher the startling fact that she was the object of his choice Le. T.P.'s, a fact whichstartled Sarah quite as much as she imagined it would T.P. himself.I must stop. Good bye. Much love to all. Your loving child Mattie -I think that case was brought home. Happy New Year -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: January 13, 1867
Text: Vassar College Jan. 13, 1867 My darling Mother, Such beautiful long letters as you have written to us, and such shabby letters as I have written you. I am ashamed of myself, but stand just where I did before, for I have no materials wherewith to make them better. Wasn't Mrs. Raymond's silver wedding beautiful? I am so glad you went. I suppose that Frank and Gertrude are still dear friends, from the fact that Mrs. Lawrence made Mrs. Raymond a present. Weren't your C. L Walker...
Show moreVassar College Jan. 13, 1867 My darling Mother, Such beautiful long letters as you have written to us, and such shabby letters as I have written you. I am ashamed of myself, but stand just where I did before, for I have no materials wherewith to make them better. Wasn't Mrs. Raymond's silver wedding beautiful? I am so glad you went. I suppose that Frank and Gertrude are still dear friends, from the fact that Mrs. Lawrence made Mrs. Raymond a present. Weren't your C. L Walker name and motto absurd? It must have been beautiful fun. Doubtless my Father will be deeply shocked, and exceedingly jeal-when hears of your conduct. Poor Mrs. Ballard! I am so sorry that she was unable to be there. I suppose that her husband went without her. How pretty those little books are! I was particularly delighted with "Lift a Little" - If Mrs. Ballard hadn't had children of her own, I don't believe that she could have written it. I am so glad that you like her so much. I can't tell you how thankful I am whenever I hear of your having a good time, or having nice people with you. Only a little while now, and we'll be home before you know it — and, our trunks with us. I felt exceedingly virtuous when I read your request that we should write to the Ballards to feel that I had dispatched a letter to them the day before. Its is too bad that we didn't write before, but you know when one is busy how hard it ishad never seen a pair of stairs - The reason why I didn't go out more in Burlington was owing to a perverse young chilblain, which even now is making itself felt - Besides you know that I am very domestic and prefer the house to strangers any day - I am very glad that you liked your hood. I think that they are pretty. Give a great deal of love to Willie - I suppose that bear's grease is owing to him. Love to all the girls - and a great deal of love to yourself from Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: January 21, 1867
Text: Vassar College Jan. 21, 1867 My dearest Mother, I was this noon rejoiced by the receipt of your letter. How sorry I am for your influenzal I know well enough what they are, or rather what it is, from your past experience and I shouldn't judge that your present one was any improvement. How I wish that I could be at home to take care of you. I have my hands full at present with poor Louise Geiger, who has been ringing the changes upon neuralgia and influenza ever since last September. You...
Show moreVassar College Jan. 21, 1867 My dearest Mother, I was this noon rejoiced by the receipt of your letter. How sorry I am for your influenzal I know well enough what they are, or rather what it is, from your past experience and I shouldn't judge that your present one was any improvement. How I wish that I could be at home to take care of you. I have my hands full at present with poor Louise Geiger, who has been ringing the changes upon neuralgia and influenza ever since last September. You can imagine what a state a child of eighteen must be in, who has read Latin and Greek enough to graduate and teach here, and agreat deal more besides, who is naturally consumptive, and has always been sick, and who never has a day free from pain - I should advise her to go home, only from all I can learn of her home, she is better off here. She is very sweet and I know that you would like her. How dreadful Mrs. Adams' death was! How much trouble they do have, she makes the third in two years. I shouldn't think that Fannie would ever get over it, it must have been fearful. Will she keep house? Fannie Henyan's death too! Who could have taken care of her, who let her ride out this bitter weather when her baby is so little? Is the baby a boy or girl? Who will take it? The Dickinson's look well being worried about Minnie, when it will be five weeks Wednesday since she has heard a word from home, andand she has written every week except once. I think it's mean of them not to write to her, when there are so many who can just as well as not. I'd think that they ought to when of course she is anxious to hear. I think it would serve them right if she never wrote to them again - Did you see the cross that I cut for Sarah? I have made one for you too, If you like Sarah's better I will make you one like that. I think it is very pretty work and I like to do it. Did Carrie appear to like her yoke? I have heard from her but once since the year began. I suppose that her Auntie and her sewing machine keep her very busy - It seems hard for her to have so much care. Is Lucy any more considerate than she was? Since writing this I have had a nice letter from Carrie saying that her Auntie is much better and that it was Mrs. Averywho sent me those papers. Wasn't she kind? I am very much suprised that Sarah's baby things are not prettier. I supposed that they would be the most dainty and beautiful imaginable. I wish that I could have made her something, but how could I? The poor child to be sick so soon! Why I supposed it was coming some time in March or April. I do hope she won't be sick before Febuary, and that the baby will be a girl - I am glad that Mrs. Taylor has been and spent her day with you and that you have not that hanging over your head - I shall remember what you wrote me about Willie, you may be sure. How glad I am that Mrs. Ballard's so lovely and good - It must be a blessing to have a good minister's wife - I should never dare to marry a minister, for fear people would compare me with some saint who had been my predecessor. Carrie said that my letter came to her when she was sick too. I am very glad that we wrote just when we did - Have you heard from Uncle Shepherd lately? Poor Aunt Phebe, how thankful she must be that Aunt Charlotteis not there - I am going to write to Father on his birthday. Miss Gilbert is now just recovering from several weeks of neuralgia - It is quite as well that we didn't attempt to go to Pittsford, but staid quietly in Burlington. Saturday, if we can, Louise Blatchley and I are going into Po'keepsie to attend a union prayer meeting - Prof. Knapp is very much interested in them. I must stop and get my Greek lesson. Give a great deal of love to Willie and the girls, and ever and ever so much to yourself - TellSallie call her infant by the euphonious name of Marthy if it's a girl and Spooner if a boy - I have tried to put in my cross but can't - I'll send it when I get a larger envelope - Yours Mattie
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: January 30, 1867
Text: Vassar College Jan. 30, 1867 My very dear Mother, Perhaps you didn't intend to, but then you did it all the same, perhaps however you didn't know, so that's some excuse for you. Are you aware that influenza is if possible more contagious than the small pox? I am not certain whether or no the M. D.'s are cognizant of this marvellous fact, if not it remains for me to add to the cause of science another profound discovery. My proofs are positive. Didn't you write to me...
Show moreVassar College Jan. 30, 1867 My very dear Mother, Perhaps you didn't intend to, but then you did it all the same, perhaps however you didn't know, so that's some excuse for you. Are you aware that influenza is if possible more contagious than the small pox? I am not certain whether or no the M. D.'s are cognizant of this marvellous fact, if not it remains for me to add to the cause of science another profound discovery. My proofs are positive. Didn't you write to me while suffering from a severe attack of influenza? Didn't I receive that letter? and was I not filled with the most moving sympathy for my afflicted parent? In just six days didn't Minnie andmyself fall victims to the same dire desease? Isn't my case clear? What does it matter if Minnie did take her constitutional in a damp snow, and come back sneezing? What does it concern any one if I did wake up Sunday morning a full a breeze blowing upon me, that has nothing whatever to do with the contagion of influenza. Suffice it to say that Minnie and I have entertained the company with our dulcet notes for three days, while Helen has chimed in on the chorus, but as she is almost recovered from her attack her assistance is almost valueless. Prof. Knapp this morning struck by the desolate condition of the inmates of 23, offered me the use of his room if ours was cold. Ours being warm I declined with much grace, doubtless making a deep impression upon him. We are nearly well now, but I have been instructing Minnie in the order of ex-ercises for Friday night, namely, that Minnie should arise and say. Allow me to introduce to you (sneeze) Mr. (sneeze) Manning, (cough), (violent use of handkerchief), (three or four sneezes, obliged to sit down amid the cheers of the audience). Wouldn't the effect be telling? I suppose that my course of conduct in chapter meeting will be very simillar to that. We were this morning honored by a call, which some what startled us, from Horace Burt. Minnie, whom he came to see, couldn't see him, owing to aforesaid use of handkerchiefs, and so the pleasure of entertaining him fell to Hattie. Helen saw him a few minutes, as did Clara Glover, I was likewise debarred. Fortunately he could not stay but a short time. Hattie took him over to the Observatory, but not being able to find Miss Morse couldn't show him the house.I am very sorry, as, of course, that is all any body cares for here. Do write to me just as soon as Sarah is sick. I am feeling very anxious about her. I dream about her almost every night. Saturday night the Seniors and Juniors together with the members of the Faculty and their wives, took tea in Miss Lyman's room. The tea was very nice indeed, such delicious soda biscuits, and beautiful cake. We all enjoyed it very highly indeed - Miss Lyman has curiosities enough in her rooms to occupy a person fully a week. Every body was very pleasant indeed, even Dr. Raymond was not disagreeable - Yesterday was Miss Lyman's birthday, she was either fifty two or three. She made us a long call yesterday. I am sorry to have taken up this letter with so much nonsense, but I can't write any more, because the omnibus will leave very soon - The girls send much love - Please tell Williethat I'm sorry not to have written to him oftener but hope to retreive my characters before long - Much love to every one - I do so much want to see you. Nellie has been having a nerve killed - I must stop now. Good bye dear - Your loving daughter Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: February 03, 1867
Text: Vassar College Feb. 3, 1867 My dearest Mother, Isn't it gorgeous that Sarah has a little boy? I am so delighted that she is fairly over it and has a dear little baby. I could tell that something grand had happened when I saw Father's direction on the envelope. Have you seen the little chap? Of course you have though, how absurd of me to ask you. Do write to me all about him, unless you go to see Uncle Shepherd. What time of day or night was he born? Who is Sarah's nurse? Mrs....
Show moreVassar College Feb. 3, 1867 My dearest Mother, Isn't it gorgeous that Sarah has a little boy? I am so delighted that she is fairly over it and has a dear little baby. I could tell that something grand had happened when I saw Father's direction on the envelope. Have you seen the little chap? Of course you have though, how absurd of me to ask you. Do write to me all about him, unless you go to see Uncle Shepherd. What time of day or night was he born? Who is Sarah's nurse? Mrs. Jones I suppose. How funny George must seem as a father. Oh dear! how much I do want to be home, and see all the wonderful sights.It seems as though Sarah's baby must belong to us in great measure. Poor Auntie! I am so sorry for her. What will she do with all her little children if Uncle Shepherd dies. I do so hope that you will go to her. She must need some one to be with her, and I am so glad that Aunt Charlotte isn't there. I know that Uncle Shepherd will want you with him when he dies for you always were his favorite sister. I am glad that Mary is willing to keep house while you are gone, but how very odd it seems. Will Father be at home? or will she keep house for Will alone? I went to Mr. Coming's church yesterday for the first time this year. I liked him better than ever before, but still he is not pleasant at all in my opinion. He preached here in the afternoon, and his sermon was excellent. I should hardly have recognized himas the same man. "Diabolus" is here. The chap who wrote that article about us in the New York Times last summer. I suppose he would be better known to you as "Lafayette Howard-" If I was Dr. Raymond I would not acknowledge him as my nephew. He was in our Geology class this morning and I suppose will write all about it in that contemptible paper. The snow is all melting away. I hope that we shall have no more. I am anxious for spring to come. Mr. Manning lectured for us last Friday, on "Samuel Adams." It was very good indeed, and gave us a great deal of information concerning that estimable man. He closed with an account of his opinion regarding Mr. Andrew Johnson. I think it did us a great deal of good although it roused the wrath of sundry young females. Dr. Lord is going to lecture for us on a histor-ical subject. Emerson will lecture sometime. I don't know when - Anna Dickinson lectured on "Something to do." In the course of her lecture she complimented Miss Mitchell very highly. I am so sorry she couldn't come out here. Gough is coming in the spring. Helen has been indulging in a semi neuralgic, toothaic, eyeaic, desease, which consists principally of groans and poultices. She has taken to her lounge this day, and I presume that in a day or two she will be well again - She has been carrying on a series of visits to a dentist's establishment and has smelled vigorously of creosote. She sends word to you that she is in a very critical condition and the doctors' have given her up. She is also dangerous, expressing fierce desires to hurt some one. I think she has really suffered a good deal, but you know that it's orthodox for our family to be groaning - I do hope that you will go to Uncle Shepherd's. I am very anxious to hear from him, and you - Helen says that it is mean of me to make fun of her, and I suppose it was -I know that you have been thinking especially of our dear little baby, now that her birthday has come again. I wish that I was at home to talk with you about her. It seems to me as if Sarah's baby must be in some way connected with ours. I am so very thankful that she is so near you and you can see so much of her. Ah Mother dear! although I know how much happier she is than she could be here yet I can hardly help wishing her back again, when I think of you all alone, and we are so far away. But I know that it is far better for us as is, otherwise she would be here - I hope that you have followed out the plan of which you wrote to Hattie, it is such a pleasant thought, that any one is looking forward to her birthday. I wish I could write longer, and how much I wish that I could see you, and have a long, long talk. It doesn't seem as if we had any visit at all last summer, we had so much to do - But next summer whenI am the only one to be started off - won't we have long, nice visits - I must stop and study. Good bye, Your ever loving Mattie -I must close - Love to all, especially to Sarah. Tell Willie that I will write to him on Wednesday. Good bye - Your loving daughter - Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: February 16, 1867
Text: Vassar College Feb. 16, 1867 My dear Mother, I hope you won't think that I have quite forsaken you, because it is so long since I have written to you. I don't believe that I am a good economist of time, because, although I have no more to do than I did before the holidays, yet I seem to have so much less time. Hattie received your letter yesterday, and I assure you that it was very welcome. It is a comfort to know that you are safely there and not waiting in Chicago still, but, my...
Show moreVassar College Feb. 16, 1867 My dear Mother, I hope you won't think that I have quite forsaken you, because it is so long since I have written to you. I don't believe that I am a good economist of time, because, although I have no more to do than I did before the holidays, yet I seem to have so much less time. Hattie received your letter yesterday, and I assure you that it was very welcome. It is a comfort to know that you are safely there and not waiting in Chicago still, but, my poor little Mother, what did you do with Mr. Curtis and Aunt Martha? What is the use of their staying there? They must be much in the way - I am anxious to hear a long accountof it all, when you have time to write, which of course will not be till after you reach home. Poor Uncle Shepherd he must suffer terribly, how long has he been sick in that manner long? How is Auntie? she must be completely worn out. I am so glad that you are able to be there, it will be such a comfort to Aunt Phebe. I suppose that Clara is almost a young lady by this time. Do the doctors consider Uncle as altogether hopeless? or has he the prospect of living on so for some time? We had our semi annual elections in our chapter this morning. Annie Glidden was elected president. I am so thankful to be out of it. I feel as though a weight was taken off from my shoulders. Miss Glidden will make an excellent president, having energy, common sense, public spirit, plenty of time and all the other requisites of a governor. We have had very pleasant meetings lately. Last time we had a debate upon the question "Is a woman more curious than a man?" The girls grew quite animated toward the close. I dreaded it very much as we had never had one before, and I was afraid of long pauses, and all sorts of disagreable things, but they did very well indeed, and liked it so well that we are going to have another some time. Next week we have a charade the word is "Manager." I think it will be a grand success. Our lectures come on Friday night, and then of course we have no society meetings. Last night Rev. Mr. Gallaher lectured on "Ireland and the Irish." I wish you could have heard him - He is a young man, and an Irishman, as well as a devoted lover of his country. He had true Irish wit, and kept us laughing all the evening - Once he recapitulated the Irish officers who fought in our war, in one of the finest climaxes I ever listen-ed to. The girls were so delighted that they clapped vigorously. His peroration was very fine indeed. One thing pleased me exceedingly, he said that a man loves his native country as he does his mother, but his adopted country as he does his wife. I think it is a beautiful thought. He is a Baptist minister of Brooklyn, formerly from Quincy 111. Mr. Lord lectures next upon Napoleon. I wish you could see Minnie introduce the lecturers. She does it so beautifully and gracefully, and charmingly that all the girls are proud of her, and we all love her so much. I do want to see Sarah so, just to think of her having a baby part of a month old, and my not having seen a symptom of it - Please give my love to all the cousins, particularly Lizzie and Emma because I know them, and a great deal of love and sympathy of Auntie. Love to Uncle if he is able to receive it - And oh mother dear! so very, very, much to you - I do long so to see you - When you can do write to us, but don't while you are busy and tired - I hope you won't get sick. We are all verywell and are getting alone nicely - Good bye. Your loving daughter Mattie
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: February 28, 1867
Text: Vassar College Feb. 28, 1867 My dear Mother, We have had a a beautiful day today - You know that it is the day of prayer for Colleges and we have kept it in a very pleasant manner. The morning we had a meeting in Chapel, conducted by Rev. Mr. Cookman. He was very happy in his remarks, although not at all so in his personal appearance. He was followed by a Mr. Winselow who related his experience. I didn't like it, for I never like to hear men tell their private history in public. Then...
Show moreVassar College Feb. 28, 1867 My dear Mother, We have had a a beautiful day today - You know that it is the day of prayer for Colleges and we have kept it in a very pleasant manner. The morning we had a meeting in Chapel, conducted by Rev. Mr. Cookman. He was very happy in his remarks, although not at all so in his personal appearance. He was followed by a Mr. Winselow who related his experience. I didn't like it, for I never like to hear men tell their private history in public. Then Prof. Knapp followed in a beautiful prayer, it was one of the best I ever heard - At two o'clock we had our Greek Testament class, not as a Greek class, but a generalBible class for any who cared to come. The lesson was in Luke the eighteenth chapter, and it was one of the most solemn lessons that I ever listen to. I never heard Prof. Knapp say so much as he did then, and his heart was so entirely in every word that it couldn't fail to do good. Oh Mother! I know that you would like him very much if you could know him; he is the most holy man that I ever knew. I didn't suppose that any one could have so high a spiritual culture, be so near to God always and yet be so little conscious of it - He is certainly a bright and shining light not only in the College, but in all Po'keepsie. Then, to return to the College, at three o'clock we had another meeting in the Chapel, conducted by Mr. Corning. He read the story of St. Paul's conversion, and made some very excellent remarks, referringto the necessity of an aim in life and urging upon all of us to have the best aim, and to start aright. Then Prof. Farrar talked and made a prayer, he did that before Mr. Corning's remarks. After he had finished Mr. Corning called on Prof. Knapp to pray, and then Prof. Tenney talked, a very, very good talk. he is another of those good men whom every one loves. He is not so spiritual as Prof. Knapp, but you can see his goodness shining out all over him. He said that he thought such days were always followed by remarkable demonstrations of God's power. Then Mr. Corning called upon Prof. Knapp who talked as well as we had expected him to. His great theme is always love of Christ, and child like perfect trust in him. Altogether the day has been an almost perfect one. I have never enjoyed anyreligious services here so much as I have today. And here I have taken up all my letter writing about ourselves, without having asked for any body or said any thing. How is Uncle Shepherd? Does he suffer very much? I am very anxious heard from there and to know just how he is. I have not heard from Carrie for a long time, and I have not written to Sarah but once since her baby was born. It is a perfect shame. I intended to write to her very often but I can't get time to write to any body. Please give a great deal of love to Auntie and the cousins from us all. We all feel the deepest sympathy for them. Is Auntie well again? and how is little Emma? The girls send a great deal of love to you, from Minnie to me. I do do want to see you Mother. It doesn't seem as though I could wait - I must say good night now. I wish I could kiss you - Your loving daughter Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: March 10, 1867
Text: Vassar College Mar. 10, 1867. My darling Mother, I can't tell you how rejoiced we all were to hear from you again. All account's of Uncle S. had reported him failing rapidily, and we were very much afraid that he was dead. How joyful it is to have him better! Do the Drs. really consider him out of danger? It hardly seems possible when he has been so very very sick, and with so terrible a desease. I suppose that he will never be able to regain his former health, or is that too...
Show moreVassar College Mar. 10, 1867. My darling Mother, I can't tell you how rejoiced we all were to hear from you again. All account's of Uncle S. had reported him failing rapidily, and we were very much afraid that he was dead. How joyful it is to have him better! Do the Drs. really consider him out of danger? It hardly seems possible when he has been so very very sick, and with so terrible a desease. I suppose that he will never be able to regain his former health, or is that too considered possible? I am anxious for you to be at home again and fairly rested so that we can hear all about your visit at Rockford, and about the Curtises. You won't be sick will you? That would be so too bad, but after such a seige as youhave had I should be a little surprised if you were not sick. I think you will be fully appreciate at home if you ever were appreciated any where. Poor Will seems utterly disconsolate, he says that it seems five years since you left. How is Auntie? I hope she won't be sick again. What a dear little child Emma is to write me a letter, but I do hope that she has no distinct idea of what she intended to say, or that she asked any very important questions. I thought somewhat of learning the Hebrew alphabet in order to descipher it. She is just a little over three years old now. I wish I could see her. Sanie Tenney is just about her age, and a dear little child. I was examined in Botany yesterday, and feel very comfortable now that it is over, but am very tired today. We have to be examined in all the Junior studies which we have taken here. Natural Philosophy, I intend to take next year, as Ihave my hands full for this year. Prof. Knapp has a new assistant, who has our Greek class. I like him very much, he is very particular indeed. We are commencing Thucydides in Greek, and it's very hard causing very hard study upon our part. We have also commenced the Tusculan Disputations which are as easy as Thucydides is hard. I like it very much indeed. Miss Avery is delightful in Physicology. I know that we shall enjoy the class very much. I don't quite enjoy the bones yet, and can't help shuddering at the thought of taking a hand tomorrow and studying it. I never liked to handle such things, but I suppose that we will outgrow all such follies, and will fit skulls and knock on bones with as much nonchalence as Miss Avery herself, in time. I didn't suppose that Miss A. would be nearly so much at home or so pleasant in the class room as she is. I am growing to like her very much.Dr. Raymond is away, and I have no idea who will preach for us. Dr. Lord preached last Sunday, a very good sermon in some respects but extremely cynical in many respects. I don't like men who regard themselves as social Ishmaels. He has very disagreeable voice, and that makes what he says sound even harsher. I had a very nice letter from Carrie, bemoaning your absence and longing for your return. She seems in a very prosperous state. I haven't written to Sarah yet, & it is disgraceful, but I don't seem to have any time. However I intend to do it this afternoon. Will writes that Kittle Ward's cousin Miss Murray is going to be married to Mr. Williams of Farrand, & Sheley - So J. T. Tilman is dead! How many old citizens have died lately. We are all well except Minnie who has not been very well lately, having a disagreable combination of cold and headache. Hattie & Minnie send much love. Minnie says "tell her I'm glad she is going home, she will seem nearer-" I must stop and write to little Emma. Good bye, give a great deal of love to all the people, & tell them how glad we are forthem. I wish I could kiss you. Good bye again. Your very loving daughter Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: March 31, 1867
Text: Vassar College March 31, 1867 My darling Mother, Do you think that I have gone to sleep, or fainted away, or eloped, or have you not noticed how long it is since I have written to you? I am very sorry, and very much ashamed of myself, but Mother dear, I have been so busy that I couldn't in the week days, and Sundays I have been prevented - To night I am so sleepy that I can hardly keep my eyes open, and have no hope of writing an intelligent, or legible letter. Indeed you must not be at...
Show moreVassar College March 31, 1867 My darling Mother, Do you think that I have gone to sleep, or fainted away, or eloped, or have you not noticed how long it is since I have written to you? I am very sorry, and very much ashamed of myself, but Mother dear, I have been so busy that I couldn't in the week days, and Sundays I have been prevented - To night I am so sleepy that I can hardly keep my eyes open, and have no hope of writing an intelligent, or legible letter. Indeed you must not be at all surprised if you find another date before the end of the sheet. Minnie is going home, not to stay, but for a week or two, till she gets able to come home, or rather back - I can't understand what is the matter with her, she seems tohave broken down altogether. I hope that a quiet rest at home will restore her health. You don't know how much we all wish that you could be at home, but of course it is best for you to be in Rockford. I think that Mr. Curtis is contemptible, altogether beneath notice. I am glad that you and Aunt Martha didn't attempt to discuss those questions - How is Uncle Shepherd now? Does the doctor think there is really any hope for him? How good God is to make him a Christian. I don't think we ought ever to despair of any one. I walked into church today, and am more tired to night on that account. It has been a beautiful day, that first that has promised Spring. The beauty of the weather tempted a great many to walk in. Dr. and Mrs. Gleason, friends of Miss Avery's from the Elmira water cure are visiting here. Mrs. Gleason spoke to us after Chapel Friday night. I liked hervery much. She was in one Physiology class also. I suppose Hattie told you all about the crowd of Holyoke teachers we have been favored with. I just saw Mrs. Stodard in the hall, for I was at Latin when she was in our room. I can't say that I fancied her. I presume it was in part owing to my disliking her daughter so much. Miss Lucy Wright, daughter of the late Dr. Wright of Persia, is to be married Wednesday, to a Mr. Mitchell of Po'keepsie, and is to sail immediately to Syria - Mrs. Cochrane knew her, do you remember? Jessie Campbell is to be married Teusday evening to John Harvey. They are to be married in the Christian Church, in grand style - Jessie will wear white silk. Minnie had a letter from Hattie Dickinson a little while ago, describing her elegant presents of silver, and the beauty of her outfit - She has six elegant new silks, garnet, blue, green,black, black and white check, and white, the black and white is her travelling dress. They are going to keep house on Winder street. Mr. Henry McKnight is dead, as you probably know. The Jews have bought the church where Mr. Freeland's people meet, and they are obliged to build a chapel on their lot, immediately. Delia Howard is in very poor health, and is talking of going home to stay. She has not been well since the holidays. The other girls are all well I think. Clara Glover is sick a good deal. Please give a great deal of love to Auntie, Uncle, and the cousins. Tell little Emma that I will write to her soon but can't this time possibly. I am glad that my other effort proved satisfactory - Minnie, Hattie, and Helen send much love. Sarah says "I do so want your Mother to come home." She says that she is not very well yet, has notregained her appetite - Her baby drinks a tumbler full of milk at a time, she not having enough for him - I hope that she will be well soon - Carrie is busy getting ready to be married, & she too is longing for Mrs. Warner - If ever I am in half as great demand as you, I shall consider my mission in life fulfilled. Good bye dear - I have written this all this evening in spite of my fears - Yours with much love - Mattie
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: April 08, 1867
Text: Vassar College April 8, 1867 My dear Mother, I am so stupid that I am afraid you will wish I had kept it to myself, and not attempted to spread it out in a letter to you. In the first place Minnie has gone home sick - not dangerously you know, but just miserable enough to be unable to study or bear the noise. I hope that one or two weeks at home will revive her enough to help her through the rest of the year. There isn't much time left you know. Of course we miss her dolefully - I don...
Show moreVassar College April 8, 1867 My dear Mother, I am so stupid that I am afraid you will wish I had kept it to myself, and not attempted to spread it out in a letter to you. In the first place Minnie has gone home sick - not dangerously you know, but just miserable enough to be unable to study or bear the noise. I hope that one or two weeks at home will revive her enough to help her through the rest of the year. There isn't much time left you know. Of course we miss her dolefully - I don't know what will become of me next year when she will not be here at all. She is so good and lovely. I am very thankful that I have lived with her these two years, and appreciate her so much better than I used to in the High School days.That is one of the causes of my forlornity - Another of them is that here we are spending our vacation, and we are obliged to keep all the rules and regulations, it is too bad, but we can't help ourselves, and must make the best of it. I have eaten my dinner written a composition taken a walk and dressed myself, since I wrote the first of this epistle and I must confess I feel somewhat ashamed of my lugubrious state of mind. I don't think I'll finish the list of my grievances. It was mean of me to begin to write so to poor you, who are so tired and worried any way. How is Uncle Shepherd? Father wrote that he seemed to be no better. It seems very sad indeed that he can't recover after so many hopes of life. I had a letter from Mr. Ballard last week in which he said that T. K. Adams has bought that old wooden house on Fort St. opposite the Strongs, where the Warrens used to live. You remember the housedo you not? Their object was to find a house where Bell could live on the first floor. I wonder how much longer that poor child will live. You know of course that Mr. Knight is dead, the church (Fort St.) gave his widow a thousand dollars and her mourning, and the bar paid the funeral expenses. I had no idea that he was so poor. I supposed he had some practice and looked shabby because it was his nature to. Mr. Ballard said that G. O. Williams had been very low, when he wrote was not expected to live thro' the night. I have heard nothing more. C. L Walker has been very ill, but is recovering - Bell Hammond likewise. I think very probably you know all these things, but then you see if you don't, you will want to, so it seems best to write them. If Father and Willie are as sparing of news when writing to you as to us, you won't know any thing at all. All theletters we receive from any direction in Detroit, bear the same refrain "We need your Mother so." It must be beautiful to have every one so anxious to see you again. And you know how every one at this end of the line is watching and waiting for the summer to come. The year has gone so rapidly that I can scarcely believe that spring is really here. I have been so very busy that I haven't taken time to think since the holidays till now. I went to see Mary Gillett & Annie Hurbult last night, which is the first time I have seen them except to bow since we called after the holidays - So you see the fault is as much theirs as ours - I am going to Hackensack this afternoon, there are several of us going in our gymnastic suits for they are easier for walking - It is time for me to stop. Good bye Mother dear, don't get sick - Yours with much love Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: April 14, 1867
Text: Vassar College April 14, 1867 My darling Mother, How kind it was for you to write me such a beautiful long letter when you have so much to do and so much upon your mind. I wish I could be with you, and relieve you of some portion of your care - I am rejoiced and depressed and then hopeful again every time I hear from you. It is very hard for you to be obliged to stay there so long, when you don't and do want to. I am very much afraid that your strength will fail, and then you will have...
Show moreVassar College April 14, 1867 My darling Mother, How kind it was for you to write me such a beautiful long letter when you have so much to do and so much upon your mind. I wish I could be with you, and relieve you of some portion of your care - I am rejoiced and depressed and then hopeful again every time I hear from you. It is very hard for you to be obliged to stay there so long, when you don't and do want to. I am very much afraid that your strength will fail, and then you will have to go home sick and I should never forgive them for letting you hurt yourself. In that case however I could test my powers as a nurse. I am glad that you approve of my fondness for Physiology. Next to Latin and GreekI like it better than any thing I ever studied. Louise and I are very anxious to study higher Phisiology next year. I don't know as we shall have time, or whether Miss Avery would be willing to have two classes. Louise has strong inclinations toward the medical profession, and I yesterday nearly threw my two sisters into fits by proposing to study it with her and adorn my Father's front door with a tin plate bearing the inscription "Dr. M. S. Warner." I think I should enjoy theoretical medical practice very much, but in actual practice I fear I should fail signally - I am surprised at my neglect in omitting to tell you the motto of our class, especially as I take great credit to myself for having proposed it - "Spectemen agenda", Let us be judged by our doing. It seems to me very appropriate in our present circumstances, as we will be the first large class of graduates, and people can't help judging us and our Alma Mater byour conduct in life. Having delivered myself of my speech, I think I had best descend to things of more immediate interest. Louise and I went to church today, and, for the first time in the two years that we have been here, found a church, and heard a sermon that we enjoyed. The church was a Methodist one, the minister was Mr. Cookman. He is a young man and last year preached here once, and made a deep impression, but one not at all favorable to him. He conducted the morning service here on the day of prayer for Colleges, and we liked him very much Prof. Knapp likes him, and so we went this morning. His text was "In Christ's stead," and his method of treating it very fine. Sunday It was the first Sunday of the Conference year and he preached about the minister's office. He was not only sound and orthodox in his belief, but he preached from his heart as men very seldom do here. I don't know whether Po'keepsie min-isters are particularly spiritless, or whether my heart is warmer, but I very seldom hear one who seems to care whether or no he does any good. As for Dr. Raymond we gave him up long ago. Mr. Cookman's church is the largest, handsomest, and has the most intelligent looking congregation that I have seen in Po'keepsie. Corneilia Penfield is in great trouble - Her only brother died last week of inflamatory rheumatism. She had a letter Thursday saying that he was better, & Friday, one saying that he was dead - I am very sorry for her, it is so much harder to have such a trouble away from home. Her brother was only nine years old. I didn't suppose that such little people had rheumatism. Here I have taken up all my letter with accounts of myself, and not asked after your health, Uncle Shepherd's or any body else's. I am sorry, but please imagine all the proper things said, forI am too tired, and have too many letters to write to write any more. Give a great deal of love to all the people - Clara must be a splendid girl - It's a great shame to make her work so. The girls send a quantity of love also - I wish you were at home to see Sarah's baby, & to help Carrie - Good bye dear - Your loving daughter - Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: April 21, 1867
Text: Vassar College April 21, 1867 My dear Mother, I am going to send this letter home hoping that you may be there, but I do not dare to congratulate you upon being at home at last, lest you should be still at Rockford. If you are safely at home you ought to be absolved from all duties of every kind, and devote your attention to sleeping, and lying upon the sofa. Although that may not be the height of human happiness with you as it is with us. I do hope if you are at home, that you will, or...
Show moreVassar College April 21, 1867 My dear Mother, I am going to send this letter home hoping that you may be there, but I do not dare to congratulate you upon being at home at last, lest you should be still at Rockford. If you are safely at home you ought to be absolved from all duties of every kind, and devote your attention to sleeping, and lying upon the sofa. Although that may not be the height of human happiness with you as it is with us. I do hope if you are at home, that you will, or rather have, seen Minnie. She wanted so much to see you, that if she doesn't she will be much disappointed, as I have no doubt you will. We are looking for her next Teusday. I as-sure that it will be a joyful day for us when she is back again. I feel as half of myself were gone. We have had a beautiful Easter Sunday today. This morning at six o'clock I went to a service which the Episcopal girls held, which I enjoyed very much. Then Louise and I went down to Mr. Cookman's church, which service we also enjoyed highly. I like Mr. Cookman better every time I hear him, one great merit which he possesses is that he is sincerely in earnest, and means to do all the good he can, which is a very great merit in the men of this time and town. Mr. Mitchell preached here this afternoon. He is a missionary to Syria lately appointed by the Board, and has married Miss Lucy Wright daughter of the late Dr. Wright of Persia - April 20. Dear Mother will you excuse me if I don't write any more now? I was prevented from writing more Sunday night& now am very busy - I wrote a little letter to Emma which I inclose to you - I will write more next time. Goodbye. Your loving daughter - Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: May 02, 1867
Text: Vassar College May 2, 1867 My dear Mother, I wish I could hug you across the five hundred miles between us, and make you understand half how glad I am to have you at home again. Will's joy and Father's, to say nothing of your own, made me feel as if I could feel myself in your room once more. Only seven weeks more Mother dear! Won't we rejoice then - I am glad to hear of Uncle Shepherd's improvement. I trust that he will not kill Aunt Phebe before he gets well. How long...
Show moreVassar College May 2, 1867 My dear Mother, I wish I could hug you across the five hundred miles between us, and make you understand half how glad I am to have you at home again. Will's joy and Father's, to say nothing of your own, made me feel as if I could feel myself in your room once more. Only seven weeks more Mother dear! Won't we rejoice then - I am glad to hear of Uncle Shepherd's improvement. I trust that he will not kill Aunt Phebe before he gets well. How long does Aunt Katie intend to remain in Rockford? I very much hope that she will be able to stop and see us, I have a great curiosity to see her althoughI dread it exceedingly. Founder's Day is over! I can't tell you how relieved I was when the people were fairly out of the dining room, and my responsibilities were over. Did I tell you that I was committee on collation? Every thing passed off beautifully, except that it rained, so that we couldn't have our out door reception. I wore my blue silk, Hattie her grenadine, Helen her light silk skirt and a white waist, Minnie her black silk. (Characteristic vanity, putting myself first, but never mind.) There were a great many persons here. I don't know just how many, the collation was provided for seven hundred and fifty persons - There were about two thousand and fifty invitations sent - of course the vast majority of them complimentary. I hope that the Ballards were not offended at my sendingthem one so late, it was not my fault but that of the publisher. The salutatory was a very pretty poem, written and delivered by a very pretty girl. The Parthenaeum was a paper, & consequently I think, stupid, it had some good things in it however. Miss Pope's editorial was very good. She is a lovely girl, and a beautiful reader - Prophecies - by Miss Clinton was smooth and flowing, rather than thoughtful. It made a favorable impression however, as such things always do. Louise's poem was lovely, and very well written some parts of it were beautiful. One verse I particularly liked. "Alma Mater! Alma Mater! Strange words for our lips to speak, No wonder 'tis with kindling eye And crimson flushing cheek. For the hand that through the ages We reached not with our ownHas led our way, two years today. In paths we had not known-" I can give you no idea how beautifully she read it, every word rang through the chapel, so clearly and sweetly - The colloquy was very good also. On the whole it was a success. You can see a very good criticism of it in the Tribune for Teusday - April 30 - Helen had a letter from Charlie on Monday, saying that he was to open an office on the first May for himself - I hope that he will be successful - He did not mention Aunt Rebecca's illness, but said that Fannie was not well, so that Auntie must be well again. Did you know that Mrs. Stoddard the ex-missionary, is about to be married to a brother of her former husband's? I believe to Mary Palmer's stepfather. Mary Palmer and Sarah Stoddard will enjoy rather an anomalous relationship to one another, will they not? I must stop. I am so glad that you are at home again - Minnie was greatly disappointed at not seeing you. You have seen Sarah's baby too! How much I would give to see it. Give a great deal of love to all - Congratulate Father for me - Hattie and Helen and Minnie send an equal share of love to be equally distributed, and a private bundle for you. Your young, but wise daughter Mattie -Tell Will that his letter was grand, and I am going to write to him very soon - I guess I'll put in one I wrote last Sunday but failed to send -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: May 14, 1867
Text: Vassar College May 14, 1867 My dear Mother, Please excuse my pencil. I am not very well and it is easier to write with than a pen. Hattie is so busy that there is very little to be expected from her in the way of letters before commencement. As for Helen, it's harder for her to write than for the rest of us I think. So you will be obliged to content yourself with such letters as I can send you. Dont be alarmed and imagine that I am sick for I am not. I expect to be quite well tomorrow....
Show moreVassar College May 14, 1867 My dear Mother, Please excuse my pencil. I am not very well and it is easier to write with than a pen. Hattie is so busy that there is very little to be expected from her in the way of letters before commencement. As for Helen, it's harder for her to write than for the rest of us I think. So you will be obliged to content yourself with such letters as I can send you. Dont be alarmed and imagine that I am sick for I am not. I expect to be quite well tomorrow. Mrs. Banister is here again. I have only seen her to say "how do you do". The girls think that she looks much older than she did last year, but I did not notice it. She is feebler I think, for she has not spoken to us at all. Miss Lyman seemsto enjoy her being here exceedingly. Mrs. Comstock, a Quaker lady from Michigan, spoke to us last night. I mean Sunday night. She has been working among the prisons and lost women of New York since the war, during it in the hospitals. She is a lovely looking lady, I should say about sixty years old, but people say much younger. I suppose her cap made her seem older as well as her whole dress. Her theme was the love of Jesus, especially its consoling power in time of trouble. It was one of the best sermons I ever heard, and comes home to us now with a great deal of meaning, for last night Mary Whitney, one of our class and considered by many the best scholar in it received a telegram announcing the death of her father. She is a Unitarian and a devoted admirer of Miss Mitchell, but it does not seem possible that she should forget what Mrs. Cornstock said. There were at least a dozen Quakers up here Sunday night. I never saw so manybefore in my life. There are a great many in Po'keepsie, so many that they have two meeting houses. This lady was an Orthodox Friend, as is Mr. Mitchell, but Miss Powell, and several of the girls are Hixites. I think that this lady is an aunt of Mr. Jones. Prof. Knapp is sick with the fever and ague. I hope that he can break it up, but he works so hard, and takes such miserable care of himself, that I am afraid it will make him very sick. I never saw a man who knew so little of the laws of health, or at least regarded them so little. I have gone into his room when the heat was stifling, and upon telling him so he would immediately spring up and open the window sit down again and forget it, and appear the next day hardly able to speak. Then he works like a galley slave for the College, and the Po'keepsie people, having no minister make him do instead, andhe leads their prayer meetings, talks to their young men, goes out all hours of the night to see their sick people, and is all the time a perfect saint. I wish he could find a place where he could be fully appreciated by the powers that be. Does it seem possible that Carrie is to be married in just two weeks? I cannot realize it at all. Talk to her Mother, and make her stop and see me, she can just stop over a train or a boat or any thing that they see fit to travel in - I do want to see some home person most direfully I am glad that you are going to make her a skirt. If you can, will you get her some thing for me? If not, never mind. Is Aunt Katie at our house yet? I want to see her too. Sarah must be joyful enough to have you at home again. I hope that you aren't sick. Don't attempt too much, wait for us to come home and help you. Helen is getting along famously with her herbarium. She has about eighty specimens, more than any other memberof the class. Please give a great deal of love to Father, Auntie if there, and all the others who want any - Only think how soon you'll have us back again. Good bye dear Your loving daughter Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: May 14, 1867
Text: Vassar Collage. May 14, 1867. Dear Will, Don't I beg of your, imagine for an instant that your unwonted epistolatory efforts are to have the effect of silencing mine, that would be a feat as difficult to accomplish for my pea as my tongue. What a good boy you are! Minnie feels highly flattered that her remarks should have boon such early and delightful fruit - Your letters are like cold water to a thirsty soul, if you could in any way appreciate how much we enjoy them, you certainly...
Show moreVassar Collage. May 14, 1867. Dear Will, Don't I beg of your, imagine for an instant that your unwonted epistolatory efforts are to have the effect of silencing mine, that would be a feat as difficult to accomplish for my pea as my tongue. What a good boy you are! Minnie feels highly flattered that her remarks should have boon such early and delightful fruit - Your letters are like cold water to a thirsty soul, if you could in any way appreciate how much we enjoy them, you certainly would be willing to undergo considerable personal sacrifice for the purpose of affording us so much pleasure. Only five more weeks any way! Before I say another word, let me congratulate you upon your promotion.I have but a very vague idea what a "buying clerk" may be, but still I know that it is better than staying up stairs where I was in constant fear lest you should poison yourself, by smelling some thing awful, or put out your eyes by a sudden puff of something, or come to some other equally deplorable end. So Carrie is to be married! I hope that you will go to the wedding, as of course you will if she has any friends at all. Don't I wish that I could be there to see. Hattie and Minnie have scarcely time to breathe, they ought to have a vacation as College boys do, and our class are going to insist upon it next year. They have formed a class organization, and being small in number, but great in ambition, they each took two offices. So their list of officers reads as follows Pres. M. L. Dickinson, Vice Pres. E. S. Geiger, Sec. H. D. Woodward. Treas. H. A. Warner. Poet H. D. Woodward. Sybil E. J.Geiger. Historian H. A. Warner, and I can't think what other thing Minnie is. They have no motto yet, but look longingly toward the Greek language to remedy the deficiency - Our class, numbering twenty five in all, can look down with undisguised scorn upon four Seniors and tell with many derisive smiles, what shall be done by the mighty '68ers. Have you had any spring yet? I don't know whether we have or not. From my own sensations and those of the mercury I should say decidedly not - but the presence of flowers, most of them blue and shivering however, and on occasional light dress, make me believe that the mercury and I err a little in our judgment of things - Ralph Waldo Emerson is going to lecture for us on Friday evening. I am quite curious to hear him, but rather expect him to be dry - He has not condescended to inform the committee what may be thesubject of his lecture, probably considering it sufficient that he consents to lecture to girls at all. I think that we shall have a very good course next year - Helen has, in addition to botanizing, taken kindly to surveying. They are surveying the College farm. I only trust that we shall have the pleasure of escorting her back to her paternal mansion an integer or whole number - I wish I were rather more active, and I'd write you a longer letter, but not feeling at all brilliant I think it my duty to stop before I ruin my reputation. Love to every body in the house & out of it who wants any. Good bye, continue in the well doing you have begun. Your loving sister Marthy S. WarnerMy dear Will, I thank you very much for your letter & will write as soon as I have time. I am very busy owing to the nearness of the close of the year. Love to all. Hattie
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: May 20, 1867
Text: Vassar College May 20, 1867- My dearest Mother, I have broken the bounds of propriety once, and found it so delightful that I fear I shall be tempted to again, and you might as well steel yourself immediately to receive all manner of scrawls from me in future. It is a lovely Sabbath day. I should like to have gone to church this morning, but Louise and I have registered solemn vows never to be caught walking down to Po'keepsie again. To say nothing of sundry vicious looking cows, rampant...
Show moreVassar College May 20, 1867- My dearest Mother, I have broken the bounds of propriety once, and found it so delightful that I fear I shall be tempted to again, and you might as well steel yourself immediately to receive all manner of scrawls from me in future. It is a lovely Sabbath day. I should like to have gone to church this morning, but Louise and I have registered solemn vows never to be caught walking down to Po'keepsie again. To say nothing of sundry vicious looking cows, rampant horses, and noisy drunken men whom we met our glorious career was suddenly cut short by the discovery that Louise had a back and I a head. For the sake of burying this discovery in the profoundest oblivion we register-ed the vow above mentioned. I have been writing to Carrie, and feel really very sad at the thought that I shall never write to her, or see her again as a girl. Oh dear! How fast the girls are getting married. I never did see any thing like it. We will be entirely behind the times soon - Please insert an advertisement in the paper, to the effect that four young damsels are ready and waiting for any body that is willing to take them. Has Aunt Katie come? Don't tell her how very anxious we feel, lest Anna may have been more fortunate and she be tempted to undue exaltation. Emerson lectured here Friday night. His subject was "The Man of the World." I believe that he gave universal satisfaction, although he several times alluded to the extreme youth of his audience, probably overlooking Miss Mitchell, Miss Lyman, Prof, and Mrs. Tenney, the Raymonds,Mr. and Mrs. Corning, and all the teachers. Once in the course of the lecture he stopped and marching over to Minnie (who sits on the stage, and introduces the lecturers) asked her, in not exactly those words, if it was the girls' bed time. I hope that I shall be on the lecture committee next year, and have the priviledge of speaking to all the great men. Mr. Corning had the impertinence to ask Emerson to preach for him today! He declined, but I wish he hadn't, I think it would have been the means of ridding Po'keepsie of its pseudo-Congregationalist minister. Think what doctrine the man must hold who invites Ralph Waldo Emerson to preach for him! So Mr. Pope is to favor Detroit with his family as well as himself. I am glad that he will have no further excuse to play old man of the sea to you. Is that Mrs. Cook Clestia's mother?If so I don't know which family I envy more. I am glad that you are getting along so nicely with your sewing. Your gingham is a beauty, and I should judge that your other dresses must be very pretty also - I have thought some of having my travelling dress made short before going home but have where decided not to worry myself with the where with all I shall be clothed, which is a very comfortable decision to come to, inasmuch as, like the old woman of Cumberland, I am full of "rags, and shags, and prickly shags" - I must say that when I commenced my letter I had no intention of trying you with quite such a looking scrawl as this, but Mother dear, just reflect that every day I am coming nearer my dotage, and be thankful that I am no more infirm than I am. Love to all - Hattie and Minnie are in a very unsettled state, but hope to feel better in the course of the next six weeks. Good bye dear. I must stop now - Your loving daughter Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: May 31, 1867
Text: Vassar College May 31 1967 My dear [?], My pencil again you see, don't be alarmed however, you know that all my ailments tend directly to make me shaky. I hope to be able to write you a natural letter before I go. Home. Oh! how glad I am that the time is so near! I don't intend to come home infirm if I can help it and I think thats Miss Avery's powders and a total absence from books for a period, will fully restore me to my pristine vigor. There isn't any thing in...
Show moreVassar College May 31 1967 My dear [?], My pencil again you see, don't be alarmed however, you know that all my ailments tend directly to make me shaky. I hope to be able to write you a natural letter before I go. Home. Oh! how glad I am that the time is so near! I don't intend to come home infirm if I can help it and I think thats Miss Avery's powders and a total absence from books for a period, will fully restore me to my pristine vigor. There isn't any thing in particular the matter with me. I eat and sleep as well as could be desired, but I seem to have "given out" physically and mentally. However I intend to give up all attempts to go to my classes for a little while and then I shall come home lookinglike and Amazon. Don't be at all wore ride about me, for if I was much sick I should immediately leave for home. Many thanks to father for that paper containing and notice of Carrie's marriage. Did you know that she is coming to see me? I am so delighted that I don't know who to display my joy. I think I verged very near a flood of tears when I read her letter. I had almost given her up and I do want so sorely to see her. I am very impatient to hear about the wedding. Did she look pretty? Don't you like Mr. Howards? Of course though you don't know him very much and he rarely talks in company, but he is more for tunate than the majority of young men in possessing a brain and a desire to fill it he has read a great deal, and converses very well. I saw him several times last summer and being partic ularly interested in him watched himclosely. Far between you and me, I have known the particulars of the case even since a year about last March. Don't say that I ever denied a knowle dge of it. I only asked you if you were quite sure. Mr. Howard is a good Christian man, and I am sure will make his wife very happy and I am very glad that she is married. They will or here two weeks from Yesterday, Thursday June 13 and will be in Detroit the fifteenth I think Did you read that article in the "Free Press" on Detroit forty years ago. It was very interestingg and sounded like C I Walker. We jab a lively representation of our beautiful city here in the person of a [?], vulgarly called [?] unproperly styled "Liza and" her is attracting much attention and calm. He waves his breathing apparatus for the benefit of admiring young ladies. with as much nonchalance as if he had done it all his life and earn ed his daily wooms in that summer. No one would imagine from his ap prance that he had [?} five hundred miles in a tin pail pack ed in grass in ice. When Minnie was at home she brought back too large creatures preserved in alcohols for the collections. Prof. Jenny was very much interested in them and was anx ious to see a living specimen. [?] Darwell (Nettie's brother) who procured the others for her, with a good deal of trouble got this one and sent it out to her. I regret to say that it has called forth a good many remakes not quite complimentary to the state of our water pipes. The girls are busy as ever. I hope that the w[?] of their hour ry will be over week after next. Our class chose rooms to day . We remain in twenty three. Love to all the friends. It hardly seems worth while to send messages when we shall see them so soonexcuses the [?] but I thought you would want to know just how I am. The seniors and Juniors are invited to the Pres to tea tonight I expect it will be delightful Good bye. I hope that you have a girl. Do take a stick anything rather than now The girls send much love one of whom is your loving daughter Martha S Warner
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: October 08, 1867
Text: Vassar College, Oct. 8, 1867. My dear Mother, Had you concluded that I meant to drop you entirely? I am ashamed of myself that I haven't written before, but it has always seemed that I must tell the girls something whenever I had time to write. I suppose that you are having a grand time in Pittsford. How I wish I could be there with you. I could see all the people with familiar names, who would come to see you, but who never heard of me. How is Auntie Colburn? I hope that your visit will...
Show moreVassar College, Oct. 8, 1867. My dear Mother, Had you concluded that I meant to drop you entirely? I am ashamed of myself that I haven't written before, but it has always seemed that I must tell the girls something whenever I had time to write. I suppose that you are having a grand time in Pittsford. How I wish I could be there with you. I could see all the people with familiar names, who would come to see you, but who never heard of me. How is Auntie Colburn? I hope that your visit will do her all the good that she anticipated. Have you been up to Uncle Jona's? How are they all there? Give my love to them please. Give a great deal of love and every thing to Miss Gilbert -Tell her that I hope to see her sometime when there is less confusion and bustle, and less headache, than there was last summer. How is her health now? We are getting along finely. Helen and Nellie Storke are as amicable as two clams. Helen is trying to raise a geranium, and has succeeded in reducing it to bare stalks. I expect the next move will be for Thomas to carry it off never more to be seen. Flowers never did flourish in this room. I have had two letters from Minnie, she seems to be very busy getting ready - It's too bad that you will not be home for the wedding, isn't it? I am so glad that she is going to be within reachable distance. Won't it be beautiful to go and see her? I am in quite a hurry to be able to tell the people here I am going to tell them the very day. Minnie said that the flannel for her skirt was bought, but she hadn't seen itand didn't know whether it was as nice as the one she bought winter before last. Don't you remember that dreadfully coarse night skirt she bought, and sent word to you to embroider for her? What pattern are you going work it? Oh! will you please tell Miss Gilbert that our mutual friend Mrs. Metcalf is about to join her fortunes with those of a Mr. Harris, a wealthy New Londonner. Impart the news gently I fear for its effects. Perhaps you may have heard me speak of her. The gentleman was divorced from his wife two years ago. When shall you come here? I suppose on your way up from Brooklyn, as it would be out of your way coming from Aunt Katie's. I hope you will make good long visits every where but I am in a hurry to see you. Isn't it delightful to be east once more? Prof. Tenney has been called home by his Father's death. He was a veryold man, over eighty. I haven't seen Mrs. Tenney since. Dr. Stebbins called here on his way home. We were very glad to see him. He was looking exceedingly well. Of course you know of Hattie Goodell's death, and that Mr. Kellogg, the wretch, wasn't at home. And of Mrs. Cressy's death and Jessie Vallee's marriage. Isn't it lovely to have Hattie at home while you are gone? Helen and I are in the best of health and spirits. The only ailment which we at present are suffering from is a great hunger, and the dinner just now ringing promises to alleviate that. We hear occasionally little items of news regarding Prof. Knapp - He is at present in Paris, teaching a class of Spaniards, and also a Sunday school class. I wish I could see you. Please give our love to all our relatives - and take quanti-ties from your loving daughter Mattie.
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: February 13, 1868
Text: Vassar College Feb. 13, 1868 My dear Mother, A letter which I received today from Father filled me with perturbation I didn't mean to alarm my home friends by telling them that I was resting from my labors - I am not sick, and expect to get through the year, if not with flying colors, at least comfortably. I certainly have no thought of going home. The reason that Miss Avery told me to rest a week was because it was the week in which the first semester ended, and the second began. There...
Show moreVassar College Feb. 13, 1868 My dear Mother, A letter which I received today from Father filled me with perturbation I didn't mean to alarm my home friends by telling them that I was resting from my labors - I am not sick, and expect to get through the year, if not with flying colors, at least comfortably. I certainly have no thought of going home. The reason that Miss Avery told me to rest a week was because it was the week in which the first semester ended, and the second began. There were very few recitations that week, and she thought that it would be a good opportunity for me to rest. I went to all my meals and did what I pleased, but didn't think of arousing sympathy upon false pretences - I amdoing famously. Father wants me to write more frequently. I don't quite see how I can. I think I have written home every week of late, and sometimes oftener. I never know when to write to him for he is so much away. Please don't think of me as sick - I am not at all. How much you will miss Mrs. Holmes. I fancied that they had abandoned their New York project, but Hattie's last letter speaks of them as on the eve of departure. If she is still in Detroit, please give my love and good bye to Mrs. Holmes, and tell her how very sorry I am that Detroit and especially our church are obliged to lose her - I am sorry that you didn't see George Gilbert married, because I wanted to hear all about the performance, but I should have dreaded going out there among perfect strangersespecially when I knew him so slightly. I am glad however that you had your dresses. What a beautiful brown yours is. Last night Louise, and Achsah, and Sarah Glazier, and I, took tea at Prof. Backus. We had a delightful time. I haven't enjoyed an evening so much since I left home. We went about twenty minutes before six and stayed till nine - The Prof, remarked that, lest we should feel any anxiety regarding chapel, he would tell us that he had had us excused. Wasn't it thoughtful? We didn't see the baby, but heard him. They were trying to put him to bed without the gas, to which he objected sorely - Mrs. Backus is a charming lady, and the Prof, is so bright and full of fun that he makes every one at ease. I think it was very kind of them to invite us. Monday was his birthday -he has attained the age of twenty six years. Sannie's birthday comes next Sunday, he will be four - Tell Hattie that the boy stands forth conspicuous in him, he has almost entirely ceased to be cunning. Scolland lectures here tomorrow night - The Sterlings will come up with him, and I want to see them far more than I do him - They came up with Wendell Phillips, and to the third - They are very pleasant, and were very polite to us - Please give my love and Helen's to all our friends - I am glad that Dr. Ballard liked Prof. Knapp's letter. Tell Hattie to write to Helen next - She hasn't had a letter since I can remember. Tell every body that I am enjoying most respectable health. Many thanks for the papers - Your loving daughter Mattie S. Warner
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: March 12, 1868
Text: Vassar College March 12, 1868 My dear dear Mother, Why you poor unfortunate woman! I am so sorry for you that I could cry. I am thankful that Hattie is at home, and I wish I were. Don't you ever dare to write another word to either Helen or me. I feel very guilty for having said any thing to make you feel compelled to write - It was very mean of me, for although I had no suspicion about your eyes, I did know that your hands were always full, that we had all the letters we needed, and...
Show moreVassar College March 12, 1868 My dear dear Mother, Why you poor unfortunate woman! I am so sorry for you that I could cry. I am thankful that Hattie is at home, and I wish I were. Don't you ever dare to write another word to either Helen or me. I feel very guilty for having said any thing to make you feel compelled to write - It was very mean of me, for although I had no suspicion about your eyes, I did know that your hands were always full, that we had all the letters we needed, and more than we deserved, and that you always were inclined to write more than your strength permitted - Don't sew any more, Mother dear, you have done three times your share of the world's work in time past,and can afford now to rest upon your laurels. You know that I am coming home soon, and shall be all fresh for work of any kind, except study - I shall rebel if any body asks me to pay any attention to hours, or books, till the spirit moves - It seems to me that after twelve years hard work, it wouldn't hurt Hattie to rest a while, but I suppose that is none of my business - But it is my business to attend to you. You know that you are my especial care when you are sick, and I shall feel very anxious about you till I hear that you are quite well again - I am so glad about Carrie. How does she feel? and when does she expect to be sick? I have not heard from her, but have faint hopes of doing so before long - I wish I could do some thing for Carrie, but can't this spring - I hope the baby will be a girl - If they have a boy of Carrie'slively turn of mind what a contrast he will be to his father! How thankful I am that the Pomeroy infant is a boy! I suppose that the Dr. is entirely satisfied now. What are they going to call him? I hope that they have succeeded in getting a nurse with at least the recommendation of sanity - I hope that Mary won't be altogether worn out by the care of the house and Bertie too. The latter is as much as one strong woman ought to have the care of. What happened to Emma's friend that he went home on crutches. Did Hattie mean Mr. or Miss Worthington? She wrote Mr. but I thought that he left long ago - I am very sorry to hear of Mrs. Avery's poor health. It seems hardly possible for her to live very long. She is a very good woman, isn't she? It makes me feel unusually mean whenever I remember my former hatred of her.It's extremely humiliating to have so many follies, and worse than follies, to repent of - especially those comitted between my fourteenth and seventeenth years. If ever I have a daughter of that age I shall forbid her to speak under any circumstances, to others than the members of her own family. Has there been more than usual suffering among the poor? We are so entirely shut out from work of that kind that we forget that there is any to be done - The subject of the Howard Mission, has done us a great deal of good in making us think - So has Dr. Post's appeal for help. Every girl must have felt his words as especially addressed to her, in fact he did speak directly to our class, like Mr. Van Meter, he is unwilling to wait - he said that their hands were tied for want of women to do the work, which none but women could do. I wish Iwere strong- I should feel called to go. Mary Griggs is going to Burmah, and is to study medicine three years in Philadelphia first - that will make her twenty three, which Dr. Clark thinks about the right age. I suppose though, that it is no use for me to think about it; with such a head, I should be of little service in a hot climate - We are going on much as usual - Helen is studying her Physiology in a very dangerous frame of mind, for nearly every day she announces a new discovery regarding the scientific method of comitting murder. If you hear of my dying suddenly, and mysteriously, you may know where to look for an explanation - Oh I had forgotten! What culpable negligence! My letter should have been wreathed in mourning - To think of the loss that Detroit and the Warnerfamily have sustained! I doubt if Helen will be able to return so deep in her affliction. Of course you do not hesitate to apply my remarks to the departure of our beloved friend Thomas Huntingdon. My chagrin is great, inasmuch as I have previously invited sundry of my classmates to visit me, holding out the possibility of winning such a prize as the great inducment to our beautiful city. Alas! alas! "I never needed a dear gazelle" &c - You know Mother, that I never did - Has Father satisfied himself regarding his false works? or is he still sitting upon the banks of the Mississipi shouting to the "Father of Waters" "thus far shalt thou go and no farther"? I have been thinking of cheering his solitude by an epistle, but not knowing where, or rather how, to direct, I have refrained, having no force to throw away, writing letters that never getthere. If you will send me his address, however, I will see what I can do. He must have his bridge in good order a year from next summer, when Miss Mitchell and her six astronomers are going to Burlington to see the great eclipse. They are going to make us a visit on their way out - Won't it be fine? The eclipse takes place Aug 7, 1869 - Hattie ought to go on with them, and celebrate her birthday - I am thankful that I live just where I do, for thus I can see all the girls who go west, or east, or up the Lakes - Anna Baker is only nine hours ride from us, and she says that the ladies often go up to Detroit to shop. Nellie Leland is going to live in Chicago, so she will come and see us, and we shall have beautiful times. You will like the girls very much. Wasn't it nice that Sam Clary stopped in Detroit? I wish I had seen him -What is he going to do now? Not live at home I hope. Miss Lyman is in very poor health. I am afraid that she will not live very long. It will be a great blow to the College to lose her - I do love her dearly, and she is just as good to us all as she can be. Prof. Tenney leaves in about six weeks - I can do nothing but clothe myself in mental sackcloth and ashes and rail alternately at Williams and at Dr. Bishop - Do ask Mrs. Ballard what style of a man the Dr. Bishop in the Board at Williams is. Don't ask her husband, for if he cant admire Dr. Todd, I have no confidence in his judgement - Give my love to them both, please. Love to Hattie, Will, and yourself in great measure - Tell Bridget that I shall be home before long to eat up all her soda biscuit - Do take care ofyourself, dear Mother, and don't let your goodness kill you - Poor Mrs. Sumner, I am so sorry for her - Love to Carrie, Sarah, Minnie, Mrs. Raymond, and all the friends - Spring vacation is coming in a few weeks, when I think of sitting on top of one of the turrets and sunning my self - Spring is struggling for life, and winter is slowly giving way - I have seen some grass, of a pale live green color. Good bye, Love to all. Your loving daughter Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: April 13, 1864
Text: Vassar College, April 13, 1868. My dearest Mother, I wish that I were sitting on your bed this bright morning, I have so many things to tell you, and my tongue is so much mightier than my pen. I think I hear you murmur under breath, "If wishes were horses," which I take as a hint to do the best I can with the materials in my possession. Imprimis then, what a jewel of a Father I have! It was so good of him to get me a watch, just what my soul craved. I wrote him a letter trying to...
Show moreVassar College, April 13, 1868. My dearest Mother, I wish that I were sitting on your bed this bright morning, I have so many things to tell you, and my tongue is so much mightier than my pen. I think I hear you murmur under breath, "If wishes were horses," which I take as a hint to do the best I can with the materials in my possession. Imprimis then, what a jewel of a Father I have! It was so good of him to get me a watch, just what my soul craved. I wrote him a letter trying to thank him, but failed miserably. I was sick with a cold at the time, hardly able to sit up, and altogether lacking in any such trifles as wits. Now that I have recovered my health, I seem to be no better off than before in the latter regard. Do you suppose that my watch would come safely by express? Several of the girls have received them when sent in that manner, but they didn't live so far away. However that may be. Father will attend to it, of course he knows much more of such matters than I do - My stupidity was so great that I also forgot to answer a most important inquiry, namely, how I stand for dresses in which to hear the country's pride do themselves credit on Commencement Day at Yale? I will therefore answer him through you, that I feel prepared, if reinforced by one dress and an outside thing, to make a tour of the world, and stop a while at every place of interest. That one dress, which I shall also need for class-day, I do cherish hopes will be forwarded to me by my loving friends at home, ready made, and complete - I can send wordjust how I want it, and the waist can be made Garibaldi. As for an outsider, I suppose it would be a sack, which could be fitted to you. With those additions, as I said before, I should be prepared to face a frowning world - The weather is of an economical turn of mind, and is carefully saving its spring clothing, so that imitative human beings feel constrained to do the same. When parties of nineteen go sleighriding in one long sleigh on the eleventh of April, there is no immediate danger of wearing out organdie and cambric dresses - We have given up expecting warm weather, but sit in a state of stupefaction, unsurprised by any manifestations of the elements whatever - I am rejoiced to hear that your eyes are improving without that dreadful operation - I can't help feeling badly to have you put on spectacles, it makes you seem older, but of course it's muchthe best thing for you. The pincushion fever is raging violently among the Seniors. I have had it and recovered, the only effects being a lovely pincushion for Mrs. Tenney - My convalesence dated from the hour that I began putting in the "filling" - Helen has begun one, but I doubt its being finishe- She, yesterday, devoted herself to reading Mrs. Foy's life, and the lives of Carey and two other missionaries - probably with reference to her prospects - I am delighted at the thought of her going to Beirout - I liked Dr. Post exceedingly, although he does consider women inferior to men - He is devoted to Botany, which will be a cause for friendship between him and Helen. Miss Lord seems to be a very superior woman, I think would be a very pleasant companion for such a life. She is a dear friend of George Walker's, and has a delightfully cool way of holding Prof. Robert up to ridicule after he has been making some absurd statement in Bible class - for both which things I look upon her with favor. I think that she and Helen would harmonize very well - I received Hattie's letter this morning, for which I am deeply grateful - It was mean of her to tell us of good things to eat which we can't share. I am very hungry for a meal in some private house - I could a tale unfold, about yesterday's dinner, whose lightest word would harrow up your soul. In eating her desert, consisting of dingy sugar kisses and oranges, Helen found a nest of little ants living happily in her kiss - in the generosity of her heart, she didn't disturb them. When I go home, I want to have the entree of your tea drinking and poor people. Can I? Isn't it good that the Ladues are still to be so near? Dear little Nortonmust be very cunning by this time. Isn't it sad that Michigan, like Conn, should be joined to her idols? I have plumed myself on our dear old state when I saw others failing, but that she too should be wanting seems almost incredible - Whiskey is the greatest curse that has ever fallen upon land. Slavery itself was not so bad, for this contains slavery with in itself. I wish I were a man, or a gifted woman, and I would go from one end of the land to the other, sounding the alarm. Being neither, I shall do what in me lies, wherever I may be to crush it out - College begins again day after tomorrow and I wish it didn't. I have but just gotten ready to enjoy myself, when lo! we must be at work again - Fortunately my work will not be arduous - Love to all - Tell Will that I know my sins, and am going to expiate them speedily. Love from Helen and me to all our friends, especially theBallards - I should like so much to see them, and hear them. Good bye Your loving daughter - Mattie -
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: n.d.
Text: Vassar College. Sunday A. M. 6. o'clock My dear Will, I am up unusually early this morning for the purpose of attending an Easter service in one of the recitation rooms, held by the Episcopalian girls, and as I am going to church today, and may be tired this evening, I am going to write you now, so as to be sure of you. It is a beautiful spring morning, the rain last night was just sufficient to lay the dust nicely and make it delightful walking today. I am very glad for a great many...
Show moreVassar College. Sunday A. M. 6. o'clock My dear Will, I am up unusually early this morning for the purpose of attending an Easter service in one of the recitation rooms, held by the Episcopalian girls, and as I am going to church today, and may be tired this evening, I am going to write you now, so as to be sure of you. It is a beautiful spring morning, the rain last night was just sufficient to lay the dust nicely and make it delightful walking today. I am very glad for a great many girls want to walk into to church today on account of its being Easter, and the Holy Comforter, where the Episcopalians attend, is too far to walk in bad weather. Louise and I are going to the Methodist church we wentto last Sunday, and where we intend to go the rest of the time. Helen went over the river yesterday to what I call "the botanist Elysium," where she found a great many beautiful flowers. She and Miss Shattuck went together, and stayed till the middle of the afternoon. Trailing arbutus grows there and no where else in this region, they failed to find any however. Prof. Tenney obliged his botany class to make an herbarium of at least two hundred specimens. I am sure I don't know where they will find them, but Helen prides herself upon having nearly twenty already - I am glad that I took my life in my hand and was examined in Botany instead of studying it. Our invitations for Founder's Day have come. I think that they are vary pretty, and certainly less work and trouble than the written ones of last year. We are going to send you one. I wish thatyou could come. I have been snubbed by the Committee of Arrangements at every proposal I have made. I offered myself for marshall of the day, and they told me that the marshall was appointed and to my most urgent entreaties they only replied by laughing. I then mildly suggested the expediency of my writing the poem, and they had the poor taste to prefer Louise Blatchley. To be sure her poem is exquisite, but just consider what mine might have been. I likewise promised to wear my "Infant Phenomenon" clothes in case that they would suffer me to receive the guests in the parlor, and that they declined also. To think that my own sister is chairman of the committee, and treats me so. Minnie is coming back Tuesday night and my heart leaps whenever I think of it. We have missed her sorely. I trust that she will be quite well and able to go through the next nineweeks in safety. Just think how soon we will be at home about two months more and then. I hope that Mother is at home by this time. She said that she was going last week. I don't like to tell you how glad I am for you, lest she shouldn't have come, and it should prove an aggravation. Weren't Carrie and Lucy good? They have sent me a box of cake by Minnie. They thought that Minnie left a week earlier than she does and so brought it up last Friday. Give my love to all the people. I hope that you did your duty and called upon Minnie. I want to see you very much my dear. I must stop writing and go Chapel, and after that to church. You see I didn't succeed in finishing this before service this morning. I enjoyed the letter very much indeed. Good bye dear - Your sister - Mattie
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: n.d.
Text: Vassar [?] My darling Mother, Here we are safe and sound Mattie unpacking her trunk, Minnie arranging the books on the what not, my things lying around promiscuously and my self writing you. We got her in the finest sleigh imaginable. No one could have been kinder than [?] [?] and Bessie was very pleasant and agree ably disappointed me. She expressed her pleas rue several times at having us with her, told us to call her Bessie. I felt as though I had known her all my life. We did not have to...
Show moreVassar [?] My darling Mother, Here we are safe and sound Mattie unpacking her trunk, Minnie arranging the books on the what not, my things lying around promiscuously and my self writing you. We got her in the finest sleigh imaginable. No one could have been kinder than [?] [?] and Bessie was very pleasant and agree ably disappointed me. She expressed her pleas rue several times at having us with her, told us to call her Bessie. I felt as though I had known her all my life. We did not have to change cars except at Niagara where we found very dine fleeing cars. Hattie and Miss. Bell had one bench. Mr [?] ones and Bessie and [?] Wgeb we reached Pokeepsie (fashionable appalling here) one of the railway officials conductors to the rails [?]. He went so fast that we lost sight ofher. Mc. Clellan alrother and so had no op portunity to thank her, we both felt very much mortified about it and wish you would ask father to thank him for us. He was just asking if any one could be. We rode up in the omnibus which was jammed with girls and their Father and Mothers I wished. I was any when else in the world. I don't think I even dreaded any thing quite as much as I did that. We got with in sight of the building and it looked just like the lectures we drove thro the lodge up to the door and alighted there we watched to see what other people did. and as they all posted up to the front door we posted after them. there we stood [?] and solitary when a very handsome young gentle man with light hair said to us "have you seen Miss Lyman?" We signified that we hadn't but desire to do so. He inquired if our Father was with us. Hattie said no but we had a letter to her. he seized it inquired our names and dragged us in to the reception room, which was packed full of ladies and gentlemen in the midst of which stood a tall lady in [?] white lace [?]with kink rodes, and almost white curls to whom every one was talking and who seemed to be the center of attraction generally. the gentleman (Mr. Terry as we have since learned) introduced us to her and handed her the letter she shook hands with us and write out waiting to say "how do you you do or anything she exclaimed "do you know that your mother was a class mate of mine, we were the same age. I am delighted to have her daughters under my charge" - I do not remmed beer ever feeling so relieved and refreshed by a few words in my life. She then put us in charge of Prof. Henry who conducted us down stairs and put us into the Prof. Buckham can who look down our manner and sent us into a room to wait until our turn came to go into the clark and pay our bills & get our keys. we waited an almost [?] amount of time before our turn came when Hattie attended to the many mat ters and came back and we sailed up stairs when we were met by a lady teacher who conducted us to our room. just as we almost reached it some one came rushing out an adjoining room and there was [?]me. She said she had been waiting for us all day and was greatly disappointed at not having [?] us to our room or anything. We took off our things and I found that I was nearly dead. Hattie was not quite so much exhausted as I, but pretty nearly. We started out to look at the house a little when Minnie introduced us to Miss Gilbert. She was very glad to see us but we none of us fell in love with her. We went into the art gallery which is beautiful and into the chapel which is very pleasant, and then the dinner bell rang. I felt to tired to eat and so went back to our room which is just as perfect as we could ask it is in the south wing the back room. our parlor is about as large as our room not quite. but plenty large for our pur pose. the furniture is a [?][?] Hattie says she has told father about it. We are all charmed Yesterday after the frills came up from dinner Minnie thought I would setle better if I had a cup of tea. She went to M[?] Fowler (the house keeper) and she very kindly sent us up a pitcher of tea. two cups and saucers a pitcher of beautiful cream & [?] [?] brought us some bread & butter & felt very much better after it & I dressed for tea but got belated and didn't go down. Our bed room floors are oiled and uncapped except a rug your loving daughter Min front of the bed. I am delighted write every [?] [?] I am just going to say a word to Jon this time. We going to be very happy hire I know. I do so want to see you all I want you to see the building & everything here very much, Give my love to [?] tell her I will write very soon. Minnie is asleep Mattie telling me to hurry. Good by my dear darling Mother Hattie give us a great deal of love to Helen & Willies father Prof. [?] says that we must go on work tomorrow. We say his examinations are not going to [?]difficult but after you are in a class you must do your best and [?] your placeperfectly or we will go down with out mercy. Love to Dara and the rest for you- I do hope you are better-
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: November 3
Text: Vassar Nov. 3rd My dear Nellie, Of course I didn't notice your note. Could you have expected that I would do any thing so derogatory to my dignity as to notice a note of one half sheet in answer to my orthodox letter, when it was written in pencil too! Certainly not! Moreover you must not expect to receive letters from me written on other days than Fridays unless the cholera breaks out among us. I am extremely considerate of your comfort and write Friday and then it is matted Saturday,...
Show moreVassar Nov. 3rd My dear Nellie, Of course I didn't notice your note. Could you have expected that I would do any thing so derogatory to my dignity as to notice a note of one half sheet in answer to my orthodox letter, when it was written in pencil too! Certainly not! Moreover you must not expect to receive letters from me written on other days than Fridays unless the cholera breaks out among us. I am extremely considerate of your comfort and write Friday and then it is matted Saturday, but if I write Saturday it wouldn't be mailed until Monday. Don't mention it. I always knew that I was a miracle of goodness. As for Dr. Pomeroy's marriage I did write to Sara as soon as I received herletter, and I didn't before, because I didn't know whether she would want me to. I think that so far from being worse it is a great deal better than Miss Leroy. It won't be half so hard for the girls to have her at the head of the house as it would a young girl, as for her character nothing was ever proved against her, we can't say that she is not perfectly innocent, and what right have we to judge her - For herself personally have always heard her spoken of a very pleasant agreeable woman, and I hope and think she will do all in her power to make it pleasant for the girls. As for George I don't suppose it will make any difference to the poor boy, one way, or the other, very long. I hope that you and Mother will call on her, as if she never had been any body else. I am greatly rejoiced at your good fortune. A water proof dress is not a thing to be despised. I wish you could see the water proofs here. they come marching in it ail kinds of weather intochapel, dining hall, and recitation rooms. For the credit of the young ladies I will say that they have been almost entirely dropped since Miss Lyman gave the a lecture on the subject. But there is a young lady named Swift whom I never have seen without her waterproof but once when she had on a flannel sack and a handkerchief around her neck. Helen Dana thinks it a pity because she will wear it out before the year is out, and be at the expense of a new one. Miss Gilbert had a letter today saying that her brother George is coming home this winter. She is almost crazy with delight. Hattie gave her your messages and she said she know you would if you hadn't forgotten her. She seems to consider you "a model of all the virtues". What has possessed you to attempt giving Hattie Benson lessons? Couldn't she find a teacher anywhere? I am very glad that you have found a German teacher at last. Mrs. King came into Haigh's one daywhen I was there, and quite exhausted me. There is a girl here by the name of Rhodes who is only seventeen and has read Caesar, 8 orations of Cicero, 8 books of Virgil, Sallust and the Germania and Agricola of Tacitus. She is studying Levy, German, Astronomy and French, and is going to take up Eng. Lit. in order to have her time occupied. Moreover she is a very thorough, careful student. Likewise Miss Glover is something remarkable. She went through the Lawrence Schools without making a single failure in any of her classes. She does recite wonderfully - She told me that the last part of the time she studied Xenophon that they took six pages a lesson and were expected to parse as accurately as if it had been six lines, which she coolly said "made it very hard." I like her very much she looks like Hattie Goodell - Miss Starr is coming in after study hours to read over her Greek lessons - I like her better each time I see her - Isn't it funny that her name is Sarah? She is an only child and an orphan. Wears deep black, and has no relative nearer than a cousin and only two of those. She admires Sara's picture very much and always asks me something about her when she comes in here. Also she takes a deep interest in mud turtle, which is thriving finely and an object of much interestto every one who comes in here - I don't know just what to feed him - What an astonishing woman Mrs. Howard is! Do they really think that she is going to get quite well again - I am glad to hear that Mr. Tarbox is fairly disposed of - I wish that Mr. Kent would follow suit - Tell Mother to remember us to T. Hougtingdon and ask him if Sarah is still in Burlington. I was delighted to hear from Father and should have written to him bat Hattie did. A great deal of love to Will tell him that he would be vain enough if he could have heard all I have said about him - Every one makes it a point to praise their relatives a little more than the one that spoke before them. Nellie I perceive that blessings brighten as they take their flight. I fear that if I should come home the cookieswould be as dear as ever. Give such heaps of love to all at home and at Sara's from all of us. Miss G Sends love, as to Mr. Freeland and Co - With a great deal and a thousand kisses I am your little sister Mattie.
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: n.d.
Text: Vassar Coll. Sept. 25 My dear Nellie, You have no idea how much I missed home yesterday afternoon, and yet it was not half so lonely as I had imagined it would be. We had a sort of Bible class after chapel conducted by Prof. Buckham. I liked him very much, the school is to be divided into three parts. Miss Lyman takes one Prof. Buckham another and Prof. Farrar the third. I hope we shall be in Prof. Farrar's. After Bible class Miss Lyman came in and told Minnie Miss Fessenden was going to...
Show moreVassar Coll. Sept. 25 My dear Nellie, You have no idea how much I missed home yesterday afternoon, and yet it was not half so lonely as I had imagined it would be. We had a sort of Bible class after chapel conducted by Prof. Buckham. I liked him very much, the school is to be divided into three parts. Miss Lyman takes one Prof. Buckham another and Prof. Farrar the third. I hope we shall be in Prof. Farrar's. After Bible class Miss Lyman came in and told Minnie Miss Fessenden was going to church, and she could go with her, so we flew around and helped her get ready, and found Miss Carr and Miss Deppan (i.e. Deppen) in the hall watching her off. We talked a few minutes and then invited them into our room. They came in and staid about an hour, we had a verypleasant quiet talk. They are young ladies from Troy, both dress in deep mourning, and I have an idea they are cousins. There is a very pretty girl rooms with them whose name is Silsby. I like them all very much. After they left we read different things. I read principally Minnie's big poetry book. We had about half a dozen books from the library, but they were not particularly fascinating. Miss Gilbert brought in a couple of books she had borrowed from Miss Sayles. she let Hattie take one, a sort of poetical treatise on the New Jerusalem. Minnie came home at five minutes after one. she thought the enjoyment scarcely paid for all the trouble she had getting permission. I forgot to tell you that the girls are not allowed to go church but after a good deal trouble Minnie had permission to go with Miss Fessenden. she is a very sweet looking teacher. Minnie came back full of the information that Miss F. had been teaching in Mrs. Worcester's school, knew Katie Pease very well, and had seen a great deal of her this summer. Then we had a very sensible Sunday dinner. Oyster soup, and grapes and apples for desert. After dinner we came back and dressed for chapel. I wore my brown fall dress, a ruffle in my neck, my mauve ribbon. I looked very nicely. Minnie wore her black & white dress. Hattie her fall dress. At half past three, bells rang for chapel where we had an excellent sermon from Dr. Raymond that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." After chapel we went into the library for a few minutes, and then came back home. Miss Gilbert came in here a few minutes before tea, when we went to dining hall and I had bread and milk. We always have two large pitchers of milk on the table besides the cream pitchers, beautiful yellow milk. After tea came silent hour, and chapel, then Miss Dana came into our room for a little while. The girls were a little afraid of being considered prisoners, when they found that the gates are locked and no girls allowed to go out, but I think they will soon recover. We have just been interrupted by a visit from Miss Hill and Miss Harris, twoyoung hopes who reside next door. I like Miss Hill very much, but can't say that I care to cultivate Miss Harris' acquaintance. O! I forgot to state, that yesterday morning before we were dressed Mrs. Metcalf brought us a letter from home. I assure you I was delighted. I am very sorry that Mr. Colburn was sick. I am sorry for all we said because he didn't come and see us. I stopped in the midst of this letter. I had to stop for chapel, and on my way Mrs, Metcalf met me with Will's letter. It certainly was one of the best letters I ever read. I shall write him very soon. Does Sara's hired woman have the impudence to sport her daughter also? I am so glad that Mother has a new dress - balmoral ditto. I have read over Mother's and JWillie's letters three times already. It was so kind of Mother to write too. I read my letter first in chapel waiting for Dr. Raymond and ever so many girls looked as greedy as possible. I have not been one bit homesick yet, a day or two ago when Miss Lyman said in chapel that three of the young ladies fathers were waiting to see them it almostmade the tears come. Miss Usher has a letter of introduction to us. I shall be glad when she is able to be seen. I wish you could see Madame. She is killing. Miss Lyman told us one day that we ought to step faster in changing during silent hours - so Madame gathers her skirts around her and rushes through the halls imagine Mrs. McLeod undergoing the same graceful process and you can have a faint idea of her appearance. Give a great deal of love to all. as to Bridget how she would like to wash for three hundred girls beside nine women and children, we are allowed a dozen articles collars & cuffs count as one - I should hate to have charge of the laundry. It is raining hard, the weather until yesterday has been perfect. Miss Gilbert says she doesn't think we shall be reached in the examinations before Wednesday - I wish they were over. The girls almost all wear calico in the A.M. - so Hattle & I are sporting our calicoes. How are the girls flourishing. Tell Father not to be troubled about our lettersfor we haven't anything else to do at present. I am contemplating drawing up a plan of the house & sending it to you.I hope that Max survive my absence with tolerable composure, increased loss of flesh would be unbecoming. I think I have Dr. JL's sweet voice as much as anything.Give a great deal of love to Father, Mother, Willie and yourself - We have got to send all the letters we write home to be mailed for the present. Ican't say I consider it pleasant, but in view of the fact that Miss Hill has five gentlemen correspondents upon whom she had decided I don't know but it is necessary. Do write soon and occasionally send us a paper.Minnie says she wants a plate of grapes too. Unsigned (probably Martha S. Warner, '68)
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: n.d.
Text: Vassar College Oct. 4. My dear Nellie, I received your letter this A. M. on my way down stairs to purchase a Livy. I did not get my Livy but it made very little difference. How much news you do have! Poor stupid I with the outer world safely locked out, can tell you little of interest save what immediately concerns us, and although we may be deeply interested in the fact that Miss Johnson has lamed herself so that she can hardly walk, practising gymnastics, or that Miss Burnet desires to room...
Show moreVassar College Oct. 4. My dear Nellie, I received your letter this A. M. on my way down stairs to purchase a Livy. I did not get my Livy but it made very little difference. How much news you do have! Poor stupid I with the outer world safely locked out, can tell you little of interest save what immediately concerns us, and although we may be deeply interested in the fact that Miss Johnson has lamed herself so that she can hardly walk, practising gymnastics, or that Miss Burnet desires to room with Lizzie Dramer on the ground that they are congenial spirits, nevertheless we cannot expect you to be particularly entertained thereby. One thing I desire to complain of immediately lest I forget it. That is, the long length of time it takes for our letters to go to and fro. A letter mailed from Detroit on Saturday, reaches here Wednesday, that is not bad, butMother's letter mailed Tuesday, the day we started, didn't reach here till Sunday. I don't think it is fair at all. So much for growling. What under the sun possessed Mary Colburn? I am so glad it is a little girl. How forlorn Mr. Colburn must feel in Detroit with her out there. I hope she will do nicely all through. How terrible Lulu Goodwin's death is. I can scarcely believe it. I had not heard of her being sick. I saw her out riding a few days before we left. It seems very much like Nellie Davidson's death does it not? Minnie had a paper from home with Tootle Dey's death in it. What was the matter with him? I am very glad that Mother has gone out to Kalamazoo. I hope she will enjoy it ever so much, and stay a long time. H Willie goes out to Mr. Cobb's I know he will like it. They have a very pleasant place and Mr. Cobb is extremely good natured. I am ever so glad that you went to Mrs. Ladue's. You must have enjoyed it highly. Who helped you dress? How kind Mother is! did you make up your handkerchief? What a delightful escort George Pomeroy must have been, but yet, if hedid as well as he knows how he would be a great deal better than no one. Who else talked to you? Was you introduced to any one? What time did you get home? You see I believe in plenty of questions to draw one out. The girls must have looked lovely, especially Sara. I fancy that Emma's style of coiffure would have looked better in a tableau than at a dancing party, but of course I cannot tell. What a very brilliant affair it must have been. I wish I had been there to see. Mrs. Ladue should have waited until next winter, when her party might have had a "bright peculiar star." Give rather our warmest congratulations upon his triumph. I am very glad indeed, about as much for the factory as for the bridge. I hope they will get the one in Canada also. Be sure and be very sociable this winter, especially now while Mother is gone and you are alone. I would advise you to call upon Miss Beaument. Remember me to Mr. Pease, if you should see him. Mr. Colburn ditto, also Mr. Freeland. Tell the old Doctor when you see him, that I have forgotten the name of the hill hetold us about. We are kept pretty closely here, that is as far as going down town is concerned. We are allowed to wander over seventy acres of the ground at will, (provided we are in immediately after sunset) as the droughts have been so severe this year, that the river channels are exposed in some cases, and after sun down the air is not considered healthy. Eastman's Commercial College in Po'keepsie contains 1100 students, and Bryant & Strattons several hundred, there are two Military Schools and several private schools, so that the streets are running over with young fellows, some of them not of the highest order, there are always plenty of girls in so large and establishment as this who would delight in such fine opportunities to start flirtations with any one they saw, and very probably would get themselves and the teachers into a great deal of trouble, and reflect anything but credit upon the College, therefore I don't at all blame Miss Lyman or the President for hedging our way to town with innumerable difficulties, and flanking us with teachers. For the same reason gentlemen calling on the ladies are to be provided with letters of introductionfrom their parents. Nellie have pity on me. I am condemned for the space of one week, to sit at Madame Spartan's table and be talked to in French only. Shades of Epicurus! I shall starve altogether. If a skeleton should come to you nicely boxed up, shed a few tears over it for memory's sake, and write as its epitaph, "Died of Madame's French." I am to recite to Prof. Knapp in both French & Latin, and are to study "Knapp's French Grammar" on the plan of Andrews and Stoddard's Latin. I may send home for Racine, but can't say. It will depend on whether the tragedy he wishes us to read, is or is not in the Reader. Prof. Knapp is very handsome but he reminds me of George Cochrane. I have struck up an acquaintance with the "music man" who lives next door. We have confined our remarks so far to "It's a very cold morning," and "Yes Sir", but practice makes perfect. I wish I could have seen Jake Beller chase his watermelon down stairs. It must have been a sight for sore eyes. I have laughed a great deal since I have been here, over our washing as much as anything. We have all had colds in our heads.Minnie is very bad yet, and as we are not allowed but twelve pieces, we have great fun deciding what dozen to send, and what to save over. I thought at first that a dozen was a great plenty, but when I came to count my handkerchiefs, collars, underclothes and so forth, its magnificent proportions dwindled fearfully. I shall have to manage however. There are a great many girls, whom I know something about, or live near, or know their friends. The other day I was talking to Ida Lynde about Mrs. Lynde when Miss Huntingdon exclaimed "Do you know her friends too? Seems to me you know every body." By the way Kittle Edmonds, daughter of the Judge is here. I haven't seen her yet, but intend to hunt her up. O dear I can't think of anything but that wretched French table. I wish Miss Gilbert would have to sit there all the time. No use blaming her tho, for she only did as she was told. I must stop as it is nearly time for French class. I don't think I put much into my letters, yet I manage to spin them out considerably - Give a great deal of love to every one at home and to the girls - Write as soon as you have time, how remarkably smart you are growing. Yours lovingly Mattie.
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: n.d.
Text: Vassar Nov. 20. My dear dear Nellie. I am thoroughly ashamed of myself to have spoken in such a spiteful manner about your writing - especially inasmuch as I received your letter just two minutes after having sealed mine to Mother What is the matter with your eyes? I am sorry for you. You must be very careful and not be induced to use them much. We had Father's note this noon, and I assure you we were delighted at the thought of seeing him - Hattie went up to ask Miss Lyman and she said ...
Show moreVassar Nov. 20. My dear dear Nellie. I am thoroughly ashamed of myself to have spoken in such a spiteful manner about your writing - especially inasmuch as I received your letter just two minutes after having sealed mine to Mother What is the matter with your eyes? I am sorry for you. You must be very careful and not be induced to use them much. We had Father's note this noon, and I assure you we were delighted at the thought of seeing him - Hattie went up to ask Miss Lyman and she said "O yes" almost before Hattie had finished speaking - But our joy was very much dampened by the sad, sad news of Ned Brush. What a terrible blow it must be to the family. Poor Willie must feel very badly. Give all our loves to himand tell him, how much we all feel for him. Ned makes the seventh High School boy that has died - Lucretia Goodwin is the only girl. Did the boys come in from Ann Arbor? And did the High School attend the funeral. I don't think that there is any other boy whose death would have affected us all as Ned's has. I can't realize at all that tomorrow morning we shall see Father! I didn't dream that I wanted to see him so much Saturday we were all so frustrated that we didn't accomplish a single thing - Unless it was to call on Mrs. Banister. She is certainly a wonderful woman. Her hair is but little gray, and her whole appearance is that of a lady whose tenor of life has been very even. She taught Miss Lyman's Bible Class Sunday, and we all went in to hear her. She talked most beautifully to us. I don't believe I shall ever forget it. Minnie says she thinks it is worth coming to Vassar to have seen her. She cameinto our room and admired it extremely - I presume I shall write another sheet tomorrow after having seen Father, but I felt moved in spirit to write tonight - What started Lucy and Ed Butler up to our house? Did they come in the day time? I judged so from your letter. I think Sallie's photograph is perfect. I have taken a great deal of comfort from it. Her dress is sweet pretty isn't it - She told me in her last letter that her Father would be married on the sixth of December. I do hope they will be happy - If Mrs. Birch doesn't behave herself I hope she'll repent of her marriage. How I hope Mary will be married before long. We do use the most refined and cultivated style of Continental here. I have reached such a point of perfection that I can say eenyourea without any desire to shout injuria afterwards as I had at first. Prof. Knapp pronounces beautifully - It is a treat to hear him - For thatmatter he does everything as perfectly as possible. I am glad to hear that you have succeeded so finely with "Hattie's remains." There is a girl here who sports a dress exactly like it. I beg a thousand pardons, but I have just looked over your letter and discovered that you said evening with reference to Lucy - It's singular that we none of us noticed it, but we all spoke of it and wondered if she could have brought him up there in the day time - Lizzie Reed had a letter today containing the death of Judge Collamer of Vt - Has Father heard of it? I am happy to hear that you are so charitably disposed. I hope you will send all your spare clothes. Did you have your waterproof dress made gored? I think they are immesureably prettier. I saw by a paper Minnie received today that they are afraid of cholera in New York. If it comes I have no intention of going there if it does seem - If it wasn't for paying 7.50 per week for board I'd prefer to stay here. I know they will have first class times. Minnie says she just wishes you were here. She thinks you would be a real comfort to our dear little Prof, in German and French - she and Hattie sufficient in Greek! Isn't she puffed up? By the way Nell I wonder if Avery Knapp is any relation to our beloved prof - Such a brilliant younggentleman that it seems a matter of certainty that he is related to some distinguished person - Have your eyes rested upon his fair countenance lately - I am ever so glad you like Miss Beaumeut so well. I hope you will cultivate her with such assiduity as to obtain an introduction to Gardener Clark. But don't on any account say "How do you do Mr. Gardener." Hattie had a letter today containing a photograph of Emma Sebring, she has also had one from Sate Kelley, they are both very pleasant looking girls. One day last week she had a letter mailed at Poughkeepsie. Who it could be we could not imagine, and puzzled over it some time. It proved to be from the illustrious hero, James Cadman, who inclosed in a note, a letter of introduction from his Mother, and asked permission to call. Miss Lyman said that altho' the introduction should have been from her parents, (i.e Hattie's) that she might see him, consequentlyHattie despatched him a note to that effect Saturday afternoon, when we were so anxiously watching the omnibuses in hopes of seeing Father, the little dot who waits on the door, appeared with a card in her hand. We all screamed and jumped, thinking that of course he was here, when what was our dismay to read - "Jas. P. Cadman." "What a fall was there my countryman"! I haven't got over it yet. As the Irishman said "it wasn't the going up hurt me, 'twas the coming down." I wrote thus far last night, when the bell rang and the gas went out. In the morning we started out in a pouring rain and rode down to the depot in style accompanied by Mrs. Raymond and Mr. Smith, that is as far as the Gregory House. I took quite a fancy to her - We waited in the depot for about an hour, when the cars came and out we rushed and saw our dear good Father. How I do love him. We had just about fifteen minutes tosee him, he introduced us to Miss Simpson, she is very pleasant looking. We gabbered as fast as possible until he was obliged to start. I wish it was Thursday. We had quite a time opening our hat box. Father forgot to bring the key and we couldn't find any one that would fit it - Mr. Wheeler tried to pick it but he didn't succeed, so at last Minnie took the lock off bodily. You don't know how very much good the whole contents did us - I am writing with my dearly beloved prodigal son of a lead pencil. Hattie's bonnet is beautiful, and has been much admired - The rose buds are a great addition. Tell Bridget that the cookies were extremely welcome. I was very much afraid that you wouldn't send any eatables. I could smell the apples all the way home. How kind it was of Mother to send me some gloves. Hattie's hat is very pretty. I feel in a most happy state of frame generally. Lottie Harris a dear little girl wholives next door, sends word that she hopes you will send some heavy sponge cake next time - I think I shall like that tintype by day but I can't see it distinctly by gas light. My letters from Sara and Emma were capital - How terrible Ned's death is - I can't realise it at all. Miss Gilbert sends much love. I don't know but I have said that before. Never mind it will bear repeating - I must stop and begin to study. Give such quantities of love to Mother that she won't know what to do with it. Tell Willie poor boy that I want to put both my arms around his neck and kiss him, and tell him how very sorry I am for him. I do hope you'll forgive and forget what I said to Mother, and I'll never do the like more. Don't hurt your eyes my dear. Love to every one Minnie and Hattie of course, say so. They are studying Greek. I do wish I could see you - Write soon as you can but do be careful of your eyes, or I shall have to go home and tend to you. Good bye - Your loving - Mattie. (Martha S. Warner, '68)
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: n.d.
Text: Vassar Coll. [?] My darling mother I [was?] just finished my composition and in consequence thereof. I feel so for feel that I cannot refrain from writing to you. My subject was "The Wreck of the P[?]" Minnie and Hattie consider it good. Hattie wrote [on] [the] a letter describing our journey, which was ex- cellent. Winnie's subject was "[?] [?] [?] of Vassar College" I think it was very good indeed. Prof. Buckham is the only one who sees them and he is to preserve...
Show moreVassar Coll. [?] My darling mother I [was?] just finished my composition and in consequence thereof. I feel so for feel that I cannot refrain from writing to you. My subject was "The Wreck of the P[?]" Minnie and Hattie consider it good. Hattie wrote [on] [the] a letter describing our journey, which was ex- cellent. Winnie's subject was "[?] [?] [?] of Vassar College" I think it was very good indeed. Prof. Buckham is the only one who sees them and he is to preserve them in the ar chives of the College. I wonder if we shall have to write one when we graduate to go alongside. Matthew Vassar founder has sent an in vitiation to the school to visit his country seat. Part are going this morning, part this afternoon, and the remainder another day. We are among the other day saints. Hattie and Minnie are going down town in a few minutes under the convoy of two teachers. I don't think that I shall ask to go in a hurry it is such a labor of love to obtain per- mission. Hattie is already quite a favorite here Miss Gilbert said the other day that they made fun of her in Faculty meeting. Hattie wanted to know what they said and she told that Prof Knapp said that she had read ore Greek and Latin than there is in the regular courts and Prog Gar man said she had studied more mathematics. Prof. Knapp is very anxious to have Minnie and Hattie alone in a Greek class. He doesn't think Hattie had better study latin this term. he has also decieed that I shall not study Greek. I am a little disappointed but perhaps it will be better for me. I want to study some Franch of Natural [?] in order to recite to Prof [?], I like him more than all the other Profs put together. He was the first person who spoke to us after we came and was so polite and kind that I wanted to hug him. He lives next door to us and I often pass ing to and from our corridor. The music man lives in the other side of his house, but I can't sayI am unable to control my affections for him. Minnie and I went out to walk yesterday (Hattie had bumped her toe, and was unable to accompany us) we went way over to sunset hill and saw the sunset. The view was very gin, but there were not clouds enough. i got some very pretty wild flowers and made a bouquet for Miss Metcalf. at which she expressed great pleasure. I was very tired when I came home but feel very finely today Last night we held a reception and invited all our table to come only size came, but we had a real nice time. Miss Hart wore her gymnasium dress gray flannel trimmed with red alpaca braids. it had just come and was very becoming. She turned out to be a [?] girl. knew Anna Marock and family is a cousin of Lucy Ward's husband and are ola play She recognized the girls pictures, but thought they had improved wonderfully. I am more and more astonished every day of my life and number of girls there are here whom I know about or know their friends Hattie said yesterday that we were growing like you in that respect. By the way every one who seesyour ambrotype things that I resemble my mother very much. Did you see Willie's letter to me? Wasn't it capital? What has become of Helen why doesn't she write to us? Minnie hasn't heard a single word from her home: isn't it a shame? She says that I Detroit might be razed to the ground and they never would send her word. Ida Lynde is here. I like her very well. She is a wild little thing. Mrs. Metcalf's little girl is the most perfect witch I ever saw. She is into every thing and every body but she is just as smart as she can be! What would you think of me Mother if you should see me drowning in bread and milk every morning and night, and deep in the mysteries of roast beef at noon? I was the first over at our table who dared to do anything so vulgar as eat bread and milk but every one at the table from Miss Gilbert to Miss Glass fool lows my illustrious example. There is always a large pitcher of milk on each table at breakfast and too at supper. ouch milk as you can't think of in Detroit. Yellow as creel al most and nearly as thick. Doesn't it seem as if we had been here two years instead of two weeks? I for as much at home here as if I had always lived here, but I do want to see you. You are certainly coming are you not? Don't think I am forgetting the home people because I don't send more messages but to tell the truth I [?] somuch to say to every one that I can't single out any one thing to send. Why doesn't Sara write to me? She promised so humbly that she would answer my letters im mediately but I know I ought not to say [?] for she has more than she can do now. I am going to be very faithful and answer every letter very promptly but after we begin to study I shan't write but once a week. School gins regularly Mon day. I think they have been very smart to examine all other girls and classify them, besides receiving them and assigning their rooms in a week [?] a half. The teachers look completely aorn out Mrs. Metcald examines seventy in history one day and fifty five the next. in consequence of which she has been [?] able every day since. Give a great deal of love to all the home people and every one else. Tell Mrs. Raymoth that Dr. Bymond has a daughter Hattie. She hasn't come yet, but I believe she is to be a scholar when she does make her appearanceMy dear dear mother take care of yourself and send me a piece of your dress give a great deal of love to father and h[?][?]. Your loving daughter [?]
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Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Date: n.d.
Text: Vassar Jan. 25th/66. My beloved Soror, Your letter filled me with unalloyed delight. It is a great delight that all that talent hasn't been wasted on the desert air - You must attribute all mistakes and incoherences, to the fact that Hattie Warner and Hattie Johnson are trying to screw a program for next society meeting - I at present feel highly misanthropical owing to the fact that our chapter is weaker than all the others and yet, owing to the fact that Minnie and Hattie are in it,...
Show moreVassar Jan. 25th/66. My beloved Soror, Your letter filled me with unalloyed delight. It is a great delight that all that talent hasn't been wasted on the desert air - You must attribute all mistakes and incoherences, to the fact that Hattie Warner and Hattie Johnson are trying to screw a program for next society meeting - I at present feel highly misanthropical owing to the fact that our chapter is weaker than all the others and yet, owing to the fact that Minnie and Hattie are in it, all the girls are pitching into us, hands, heads and feet. We are obliged to grow eloquent on the subject of our weakness and imbecility generally - I am very glad that you find Miss Beaumont so agreeable. Dont you see how important it is always to act upon my advice. The first thing I have to say is, that we have invested in a jolly new French teacher.His name is Rondelle. he has a beautiful black mustache, he is a widower, and added to these fascinations is handsome and "polite as a Frenchman". Isn't he a captivating chap and an improvement on our hateful old Madame? That lovely creature grew rampant when informed that her services were not needed, abused Prof. Knapp right and left, declared that her superior attainments, were the cause of her downfall, and wound up by offering herself to the musical department. Being respectfully declined in that quarter, she again attributed it to her superiority over the Prof, this time Wiebe. Then she announced her determination to remain at the College, declaring that they were obliged keep her a year in pursuance with the agreement, consequently the venerable dame has comfortably settled herself and begun to take painting lesson of poor terrified Prof. Voningen. Altogether she has furnished us with topics for conversation for two whole weeks and more.Another interesting curiosity is Miss Frost, of whom I may have spoken heretofore. She joined the Literary Society and was duly distributed into one of the Chapters. There are three young ladies Miss Frost, Miss Burnett, and Miss M. Ida Smythe, (writes for the N.Y. Mercury, and has written a book) whom the distributing committee considered too much talent for any one chapter and conscientiously distributed them, one in each Chapter. Miss Frost appeared a day or two ago, at the door of the Presidentess of her chapter, wearing a most forlorn expression - She desired to see Mrs. Miller alone for a few minutes, and then opened the sad tale of all her woes. "She didn't know, she thought she had better leave the society," "Why?" "Oh she didn't know, she didn't seem to be of any use, all the committees had been appointed, and the officers chosen, and she didn't have anything to do, or any place to fill." "Oh if she wanted something to do, there would be plenty for every one, compositions, recitations, readings &c. no idle ones would be suffered. "Yes, but she didn't know, that wasn't exactly what she meant, but all the officers were chosen and the committees, and she seemed overlooked, she didn't know." Isn't that a superb character? I told Mrs. Miller that I had two votes for secretary, and therefore was decidedly more fevered than she, I sure I don't know what I told you all this for, but what can I write if not about the girls. Miss Avery is giving us a course of Physiological Lectures, they are very fine, end she is a noble woman. I stumbled on Kittie Edmonds a few days ago, she said she knew the first instant she saw me that I was from D. but couldn't remember my name until she heard it, I never should have known her, but after that speech thought I could percieve vague traces of the Deacon floating over her features. I know both Miss Annan and Miss Noye, by sight, they seem like very nice girls, but certainly have most signally failed if they intended make an impression. I believe they arehis mother are doing finely - there is the retiring bell - Good night a thousand kisses from all of us - I can't half say what I want to - Good night. Mattie S. W. [Martha S. Warner, '68]
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