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Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 15 April 1904
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 15 April 1904

Title: Eldridge, Muriel (Tilden) -- to Mother, 4 June 1913
Creator: Eldridge, Muriel (Tilden)
Description: VC 1914
Date: 4 June 1913

Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Family, 28 March 1902
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 28 March 1902

Title: McAndrew, Marjorie — from Aunt Florence, September 28, 1916
Creator: Aunt Florence
Date: 28 Sep 1916
Text: Dunkirk New York Sept 28 - 1916 - My dear Marjorie Your letter came this morning and I am writing you so that you may receive it on Sat - the 30th at least. I was sorry not to have the jacket laundered, but did not think of it in time. It also slipped my mind in regard to the laundry bag or I should certainly have had a more satisfactory one for you. It will [however?] serve its purpose of course. The little silk bag is not quite finished, but I will get it off to you in a few days...
Show moreDunkirk New York Sept 28 - 1916 - My dear Marjorie Your letter came this morning and I am writing you so that you may receive it on Sat - the 30th at least. I was sorry not to have the jacket laundered, but did not think of it in time. It also slipped my mind in regard to the laundry bag or I should certainly have had a more satisfactory one for you. It will [however?] serve its purpose of course. The little silk bag is not quite finished, but I will get it off to you in a few days Grandmother has done most of the real work on it, so you know to whom to express your appreciation. Will just Vassar College be sufficient for your address or will your letters require the name of the Hall as well? I have been over to Mrs- [Nelson’s?]: she is progressing with the blue dress. I doubt if she will have it ready to send to-morrow. In case she does not, do you prefer it sent directly to you or to [Mamaroneck?] I think it will look very well. [...] will plan on the [..ile?] as soon as possible. You will learn to be very [...ple...at…?] with your letter-writing and not think that you can delay it till some future date. In fact, you must conserve your energy and concentrate upon each thing, so as to make ^time for an opportunity to enjoy the various activities. I really feel that the ^first few weeks will be the hardest. Until you learn their [...p] and methods. You must be very brave if things aren’t just as you would like them, and you must attribute the best motives to everyone. I am enclosing the draft for the amount I said I would send you at this time. I shall think of you and pray that you may be fortunately located and greeted with much [love?] Affectionately Aunt Florence Have [...] one [drop?] a line as to [when?] [...] shall send the blue dress Miss Marjorie McAndrew 134 Prospect Ave [Mamaroneck?] New York
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Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 12 January 1905
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 12 January 1905

Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 4 March 1905
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 4 March 1905

Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mother, Father, and Pete, January 15,1923
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1923-01-15
Text: January 15, 1923 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The Nettletons are having a formal reception in Saylor Hall tonight for Seniors, in honor of the president of Bryn Mawr. I don't know if it is worth getting into evening dress for or not. I studied five hours for a quiz on Hume this morning, and then a dozen souls who said they couldn't write on him got Riley to put it off till next Monday. I certainly was peeved. Otherwise I can report. Love, Fannie

Title: Banfield, Edith C. Letters, 1888-1891
Creator: Banfield, Edith C.
Descriptor(s): Ditkoff, Andrea
Description: 1 letter from Banfield to her friend (or relative) Mary Banfield, and 2 letters from Banfield to her family. The letter to Mary Banfield contains information about a visiting Episcopal minister, a prayer meeting, academics (including a brief mention of Professor Salmon), and social news about acquaintances and student life. One letter to her family contains a detailed description of a mock duel between two of her friends. The other describes elections for student government and Philaletheis, ...
Show more1 letter from Banfield to her friend (or relative) Mary Banfield, and 2 letters from Banfield to her family. The letter to Mary Banfield contains information about a visiting Episcopal minister, a prayer meeting, academics (including a brief mention of Professor Salmon), and social news about acquaintances and student life. One letter to her family contains a detailed description of a mock duel between two of her friends. The other describes elections for student government and Philaletheis, dinner at a professor’s house, and events leading up to Commencement and the associated issue of the Miscellany.
VC 1892
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Title: Warner, Harriette A. -- to mother, Jun. 1866:
Creator: Warner, Harriette A.
Description: VC 1867
Date: June 18, 1866
Text: Vassar College, June 18, 1866. My dear Mother, This may be the last letter I write home before I appear there in my bodily presence. I don't feel half as near home as I did three weeks ago. Even the sight of our trunks in the hall fail to give me a realizing sense of our approaching meeting. Just now we are living in clover, as far as studies are concerned. Latin has ceased, Hattie's Greek stopped a week ago, gymnastics are over, and we have only ourselves and the...
Show moreVassar College, June 18, 1866. My dear Mother, This may be the last letter I write home before I appear there in my bodily presence. I don't feel half as near home as I did three weeks ago. Even the sight of our trunks in the hall fail to give me a realizing sense of our approaching meeting. Just now we are living in clover, as far as studies are concerned. Latin has ceased, Hattie's Greek stopped a week ago, gymnastics are over, and we have only ourselves and the public meeting to attend to, and the members of twenty -three are not at all concerned in that personally- We'll come home as fresh as can be. We held our Society elections last week, the results were as follows: Miss Dickinson Pres. Miss Goodsell Vice Pres. Miss Talbot Sec. Miss Glover Treas. All but one were western girls. Miss Mitchell insists that its only the western girls [handwriting changes here, who do the talking in Society, and she is nearly though not wholy right. Tuesday noon. Mattie has some studying to do and wants her letter to go this noon so I am finishing it. She received your letter this morning and we were delighted to hear from you again. How soon we shall be at home. Don't worry about our clothing. I guess we can manage to look respectibly at church without anything new for one Sunday. I dont like to ask you about it again but have you forgotten that I want some money. I don't know but my note to you about it failed to be put into a letter to Helen that it was written to go with. I asked you, if Father was certainly coming for us to send me $ 15.00 if not $55.00. I thinknow it is so uncertain that I wish very much that if you would send the whole immediately if you have not sent any, or the remainder if you have sent part. I am afraid if it is not sent soon that we shall have to wait, and I want some money to get some things here. I do hope that Father will come. It will be so much pleasanter. We now expect to start Wednesday noon, If so, we shall be at home Thursday at about half past five. Will you be glad to see us? And shall not be glad to see you all. We girls are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the proof sheet of our paper. You know we talked about having one and Father wrote to us he was afraid we would neglect our studies for it and so we gave up the idea; but some of the girls were very anxious we should get it up, after Greek was closed and we had so much more time. I thought Father wouldnot care It so wrote an article for it, and helped about it generally for two day. It is being printed in New York. We expect it will be here by Saturday. I wrote to Father about it last Saturday, and sent my letter to Washington. I hope he received it. He wrote to me he expected to go home the last of last week or the first of this and by your letter I see he had not come home Saturday morning. We had strawberries for tea last night In great abundance- They were delicious. We have had them only once before and then the girls at our table ordered and paid for them. The dinner bell has rung, and I must go. After dinner. I have received a letter from Father & he say he has told Mr. Colburn to send me some money- so it is all right. I am very sorry that he probably will not be here to come home with us. Good by Tour loving Hattie.
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Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mother, Father, and Pete, March 11,1920
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 3/11/20
Text: March 11, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have assignments from everybody now, and I have enough reading to do to keep me plenty busy. I went to get my mail after second hour this morning and discovered my trunk peacefully reposing in the Soap Palace. It is not packed yet. I went to the janiotr's[sic] office to discover the reason, and found that the trasportation people at the station had telephoned to them to take it over to Main, as they could not get it over to Davison. They...
Show moreMarch 11, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have assignments from everybody now, and I have enough reading to do to keep me plenty busy. I went to get my mail after second hour this morning and discovered my trunk peacefully reposing in the Soap Palace. It is not packed yet. I went to the janiotr's[sic] office to discover the reason, and found that the trasportation people at the station had telephoned to them to take it over to Main, as they could not get it over to Davison. They did so, without finding out whether or not it was packed. They have brought it back, and I must pack it now. I lost the whole evening last night. Our English class was expected to go hear the lecture of Ervine on the Irish question. We waited until nine o'clock, when Miss Wylie got up to announce that he could not reach Poughkeepsie till ten-thirty. I have to sign up by tomorrow whether I am going to keep my present room or not. Phyllis is coming up this afternoon, so i shall finish up the job then. See you the day after tomorrow. Love, [Fannie]
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Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mother, Father, and Pete, October 23,1919
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 10/23/19
Text: October 23, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: According to appointment, I met Lucy at a quarter to four and we proceeded to start on our journey to the cider mill. She was asked Eleanor Wildberg to go with us, and by the time the latter was ready to go, we had wasted three quarters of an hour. Nothing exciting happened, outside of the fac[sic] that I brought home some good apples. No wonder Louise likes E. W.--they are two of a kind. I worked in the library last night on another one of...
Show moreOctober 23, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: According to appointment, I met Lucy at a quarter to four and we proceeded to start on our journey to the cider mill. She was asked Eleanor Wildberg to go with us, and by the time the latter was ready to go, we had wasted three quarters of an hour. Nothing exciting happened, outside of the fac[sic] that I brought home some good apples. No wonder Louise likes E. W.--they are two of a kind. I worked in the library last night on another one of those indefinite English assignments. I am beginning to get all of them that I can swallow. We had our second English class this morning. I certainly do like the teacher better--she comes down to earth much more than Miss Buck. I think it is supposed to be a medium section. I had the insperation of sitting near Miss Wiley at lunch today at the Lodge. I met Carolyn Bailey according to appointment and we went to the Lodge for lunch. Of course we had a grand argument as to who should pay, and I won the argument. Don't laugh. The lunch cost sixty-five cents a person plus waiter's tip. -------- I am going to finish tomorrow's work and then work P. D. Q. (is that the way you spell it?) on my history topic. I forgot to tell you, Pete, that my advisor was in Princeton last Saturday. She was aslo at Commencement last year. Did you perchance see a girl intellectual enough to have hailed from Vassar? Love, [Fannie] I wish I knew if you were coming, Father.
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Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mother, Father, and Pete, [April 26 ?]
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [April 26 ?]
Text: [26 Apr?] April 27, 1923 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The debate dinner last night was loads of fun. Prexie was seated between Evan and me, and Miss Gibson, of the Ec department, our "right-hand man" was directly opposite me, so it was most enjoyable. Prexie told us some very amusing tales about himself. Ruth Hall and Bish entertained us with a debate on "Resolved that Evan Waller is a Perfect Chairman". Prexie moderated. It was quite funny. Today we had a very...
Show more[26 Apr?] April 27, 1923 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The debate dinner last night was loads of fun. Prexie was seated between Evan and me, and Miss Gibson, of the Ec department, our "right-hand man" was directly opposite me, so it was most enjoyable. Prexie told us some very amusing tales about himself. Ruth Hall and Bish entertained us with a debate on "Resolved that Evan Waller is a Perfect Chairman". Prexie moderated. It was quite funny. Today we had a very disagreeable and unpleasant meeting, trying to elect a chairman for next year. Some very unpleasant things have occurred. Saw Helen perform in the German play this afternoon. She was screamingly funny, particularly when she got the giggles while taling another man, in the from of Doris Marks who also got the giggles, what a wonderful wife the latter had. Your friend Professor Root is going to lecture tomorrow morning on something to do with satire. I am dead, so instead of working I shall go off to slumberland at the late hour of eight. Love
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Title: Eldridge, Muriel (Tilden) -- to Mother, circa 6 November 1911
Creator: Eldridge, Muriel (Tilden)
Description: VC 1914
Date: circa 6 November 1911

Title: Sylvester, Helen (Seymour) -- to father, Nov. 9, 1865:
Creator: Sylvester, Helen (Seymour)
Description: VC Spec 1865-1866
Date: November 9, 1865
Text: Vassar College - Nov 9th 1865. My dear Father I was so glad to receive your letter a few days ago and then afterwards to get the papers. It must be very uncomfortable to be without carpets this cold weather but you will soon have them down probably. You say you have had snow at home. We have only seen a few flakes floating In the air. It has been cold enough to freeze ice half an inch thick though. I would give a good deal to help arrange things at home but can comfort myself with the thought...
Show moreVassar College - Nov 9th 1865. My dear Father I was so glad to receive your letter a few days ago and then afterwards to get the papers. It must be very uncomfortable to be without carpets this cold weather but you will soon have them down probably. You say you have had snow at home. We have only seen a few flakes floating In the air. It has been cold enough to freeze ice half an inch thick though. I would give a good deal to help arrange things at home but can comfort myself with the thought that I am improving here. I hope to know French and German very well by next Summer. In our Geology class we are collecting specimens of all the rocks. To-day we got a quartz specimen or rather Prof. Tenney got it for us. I expect to come home with a great box of rocks. I am glad James got such splendid paper for his room, he wrote to me about it. I have a suggestion to make. As you have to wait for Henry every night cannot you spend the time in writing to me? It would amount to a good deal every night. I am very glad you had resolved upon a long letter, it was fortunate for me. Has James been home since he has been at Rochester? He comes home often as usual I suppose. How nice it must be. Have they succeeded in getting Mr Brown? I do hope they will have some one before I get home. James wrote they had mostly agents to preach lately. There are about 325 scholars here. Some have gone home from sickness and some were unable to come at all. They had accepted 350 but of course things happened to prevent some from coming. President Raymond had a "reception" for the teachers a day or two ago. Emma Wehner is expecting her father here to-day. I am glad Mr Kimball has received so good a call. I suppose his objections to a city church are removed. I see Henry is sacrificing himself to the good of his country. I am glad election is over before Christmas or I should not expect to see him as soon as I do. School closes on the 18th of Dec. so we are to have two weeks vacation I hear, and Henry must come on the 17th that is Monday in just about six weeks, or a little over five. He must hurry if he expects to get ready by that time and I am afraid he never will get ready to start on Monday but he must. You say your letter was getting very old. It was just as good for all that. Do you sit in the tower room any? I must close now for I have already encroached on my study hour to write to you. I send James a picture of the College for his album which he will probably show you. Will you please write a note to Pres. Raymond and send it to me asking him to let me go and stay in New York from Friday night to Monday morning? so I can give it to him? If you and Mother are willing I should like it so much instead of going away Thanksgiving. I mean the Friday after Thanksgiving. Write soon and please send me the Independent as well as the other papers. I noticed there was a speech of Gov. Seymour's in the World. Your affectionate daughter Helen.
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Title: Crippen, Ruth H. -- to family, fall 1900:
Creator: Crippen, Ruth H.
Description: VC 1904
Date: Fall 1900
Text: (Fall of my freshman year, 1900, LAKE MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE Mohonk Lake, Ulster Co., N.Y. Albert K. Smiley Proprietor My dear Family: I am alive and not a bit tired after yesterday. I never in my life saw such a beautiful place and the experience of mountain climbing was so new that I enjoyed every stone of it. We left college at half pastsix with twenty six girls in our barge. When we came to the Hudson the first two horses were unyoked and three barges crossed at a time. We did not cross in...
Show more(Fall of my freshman year, 1900, LAKE MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE Mohonk Lake, Ulster Co., N.Y. Albert K. Smiley Proprietor My dear Family: I am alive and not a bit tired after yesterday. I never in my life saw such a beautiful place and the experience of mountain climbing was so new that I enjoyed every stone of it. We left college at half pastsix with twenty six girls in our barge. When we came to the Hudson the first two horses were unyoked and three barges crossed at a time. We did not cross in a ferry on a cable but went diagonally across. There was a mist over the whole river but you could see tho outline of the mts & the view was great. Then we rode on & went through New Paltz & several other old Dutch villages and whenever we came to an apple orchard or village the driver would stop for us. When we were about four miles from the mountain we got out & walked up hill after hill while the barge went around by the road & met us farther up. After that we all plied in again & the horses pulled us up to the top. It made me so nervous that I could hardly stay in, for the nigh front horse would have his foot on the very edge & if he had moved it an inch we would have all gone down the mountain but everyone kept saying that an accident had never before happened etc, but I was nevertheless glad to reach the top. Finally we came to the lake & hotel which is right on the edge and Mr Smiley, the proprietor who gives us the use of the grounds, hotel, dining room etc. was there to meet us. He Is a fine white haired old gentleman & the Senior & Freshman class each gave him an immense bunch of La France roses. The hotel is perfectly immense but you cannot get much of an idea of it from these pictures. The inside was beautiful; there were big open wood fires in every corner It lovely big piazzas & parlors with velvet chairs etc. The season closes Wed. but there were lots of swell people still there. By the time we reached there (11.15) it was warm enough to take off our coats, we could not have asked for a better day, so while some of them went rowing on the Lake which is very small & the middle part has no bottom, we went onto one of the big back piazzas & looked over at the Catskill Mts. There was a diagram on the coping which had the names of all the peaks so everything was clear. Mr. Smiley gave us all the paper & catalogues we wanted & as they have a big post office there most of the girls mailed catalogues home. I sent one to you which I know you will enjoy & I wish I had two thousand dollars to take you all up there next summer. If anything happens that you do not get the catalogue let me know & I will send another. I must close & go to church It will write the rest this afternoon. It is afternoon and such a perfect day that I am going to stop letter writing & go over to college to see if I can get some girls to go to the orchard. We had the Episcopal service this morning, a minister from Jamaica preached, so the service was not much on a sermon line. Now I will finish telling you about the Mohonk trip. We had our lunch at twelve o'clock before the rest of the hotel people so had the dining room to ourselves. After lunch we climbed to the top of the mt. to the tower which you see on the first sheet of paper. It is called Sky Top It you can read about it &t the range to which it belongs, in the catalogue. I cannot describe the view or the sensation when reaching the top but hope you can get some idea from the pictures in the catalogue, but father can tell you how It feels to be on top of a mt. & also about the air. At two o 'clock we came back & there were baskets of grapes all over the tables with cards on, "Help yourself to grapes." Then in half an hour we were settled in the barges It were all before the hotel door, singing to & cheering Mr. Smiley - The Seniors stood around him & sang songs composed to him, then as each barge drove by we gave our yell (I & another girl composed ours for our barge) (I did not mean to put my own name first here but am so sleepy I cannot think) & tacked something on the end for him. Coming down there were two men in each barge & as we drove around the curves, they put chains on the back wheels, but we held our breath coming down Eagle Cliff Road. Its altitude is 1245 ft; you can see the picture & notice the wooden railing at the side which is the only protection. Finally we could not stand it any longer so walked about a mile 'though it was not as long as we cut through meadows. We reached home at half past six & I was not tired the way I usually am but just a healthy tired which I have not known in over a year. I can stand a great deal more now than all summer so you need not worry about my health but take care of yourselves. I enclose some winter green for mother & grandma which I picked from the top of the mountain. I saw Mrs. Barnard here with Gertrude last night in chapel (you shall be there, mother before I am a Junior). Last Wednesday as I had finished college the messenger girl brought me the enclosed notice. I staid over at college for lunch & saw Dr. Forbes right after. E. Elery was waiting in the parlor to see him & volunteered to show him over the grounds but I told him I had to study so did not go with them. He sat at the Faculty table & seemed to be right in it. Do you suppose he is looking for another position & what did he mean on this card when he wrote, "formerly of Rochester, now of Elmira" ? I bought a dark blue tam to wear yesterday & will wear that around the campus this winter. Do not make my bloomers with a skirt pattern which you spoke of for I want them as nearly like the gym suits as possible. The bloomers here are a trifle less full than my old ones & are gathered around the waist & button onto it like my old suit. You can button them onto the old waist & make a narrow belt to cover them up If they show. I must close. Write soon & send me the Sunday Democrat & Chronicle. Lots of love Ruth Sunday. Trip to Lake Mohonk Freshman year, fall 1900 Ruth H. Crlppen, '04
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Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 15 January 1902
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 15 January 1902

Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mother, Father, and Pete, May 7,1921
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-05-07
Text: May 7, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I spent several hours this morning working on a history topic--causes of the Civil War, and then i cam home and spent one hour working on elections. Sophomores have to hand in, in addition, a schedule of sequential study, showing the courses in their majors and minors, for the next two years. It is some mess. Everything conflicts with everything else. To make matters worse, I just found out that Miss Thompson, whose course in American History since...
Show moreMay 7, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I spent several hours this morning working on a history topic--causes of the Civil War, and then i cam home and spent one hour working on elections. Sophomores have to hand in, in addition, a schedule of sequential study, showing the courses in their majors and minors, for the next two years. It is some mess. Everything conflicts with everything else. To make matters worse, I just found out that Miss Thompson, whose course in American History since 1850 I was planning to take Senior year, will be away on leave that year. And next year her course comes the same hour as French Rev. It is some mess. Moreover, the history department has just made a new ruling which goes into force next year to the effect that no student taking only one semester of a one yar course can count that course toward her major. That makes matters worse. It is some mess. The Seniors are having their prom this week-end. I called on Miss Cowley last night. It was about time. She was out. Otherwise there is nothing new. Love, Fannie
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Title: Eldridge, Muriel (Tilden) -- to Mother, 17 March 1912
Creator: Eldridge, Muriel (Tilden)
Description: VC 1914
Date: 17 March 1912

Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mother, Father, and Pete, May 8,1922
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-05-08
Text: 403 DAVISON HOUSE VASSAR COLLEGE POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. May 8, 1922 Dear Mother, Father,and Pete: I managed to get in 8 hrs& on the second topic yesterday. and 2 this morning. I am glad it is under way. At last I see my way clear to finishing without rushing to death. It is in- tensely interesting, "Religious Consciousness". I am very much relieved to find that I am not abnormally heathenish in my views! Heard an excellent speech last night by Sherwood Eddy on "The Challenge...
Show more403 DAVISON HOUSE VASSAR COLLEGE POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. May 8, 1922 Dear Mother, Father,and Pete: I managed to get in 8 hrs& on the second topic yesterday. and 2 this morning. I am glad it is under way. At last I see my way clear to finishing without rushing to death. It is in- tensely interesting, "Religious Consciousness". I am very much relieved to find that I am not abnormally heathenish in my views! Heard an excellent speech last night by Sherwood Eddy on "The Challenge of the Present World Situation". He made among other significant remarks the one that he had just returned from .Europe and came away fearing French.Hilitarism greatly more than he had feared German Eilitarisn. in 1913, that it is just as alarming as that was then. He also said that_Europe is drifitng rapidly back to war--a pleasant prospect! He said that there was everywhere grod feeling toward the U. S. and growing good feeling to England, but a rapidly intensity of bitterness and hard feeling toward France. I certainly reaped a hafvest of information for my psych topics from him-"having just been working on crowd leadership, revivals, etc. I bet he could "revive" a crowd.of any size! Buy a copy the Vassar number of”Judge§-I think you will enjoy it. If you get it, send it to me when you are through with it. 403 DAVISON HOUSE VASSAR COLLEGE POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. Viola Wolfert showed me the debate picture her mother sent her from the St. Louis paper. Host of us are unreCognizable——in addition it was beau- .tifmlly inaccurate-—eight of he the team that beat Brown, having the leet word. I should think eight ggeinet three would Win any debate. I expect to eeolude myself on topic most of the week. Miss Washburn told me if I took a psych course at Pitt she would let me take Abnormal Psych without any other course with it next semester. Do you know anything about their summer echoold If we were home all July, and the thing lasted only a month, there certainly would be no difficulty in eo doing. I don't suppose you would let me, though. Love, Fanni 63 Another poeeibility, I may take hiss White's "Victor Hugo and his Times” next eemeeter instead of English. However, we ehall see. I am going to Work the thing out in good earnest tomorrow, / / , l l l A special meeting of the National Fed-‘ eration of Religious Liberals will be held A Special M"eet_ in Chicago, lll., May 17 to,18, following the Mid- ing -Of Relig- VVcsste1rn; Conference of . Universalist Ministers and i0u’3‘7L1beIa1S the annual meeting of the‘ ‘Western Unitarian Conference.» The hours and places of sessions will be: VVednesday, 10 A. M. and 2 13. M. (Chi- cago time), First Unitarian Church, ‘Wood- lawn avenue and East Fif'iy-S€V"g11th street; “Wednes(.lay, 7.30 P. M. and Thursday, 10 A. M., 2 and 7.30 P. M., St. Paul’s on the Midway (Universalist),_ 6010 Dorchester avenue. The address of welconie at the opening session will be given by Rev. L. “Ward Zlrigﬁh-ain, Chicago, followed by an address by the presiding otiicer, Rev. Marion D. Shutter, I'viinneapol.is. Tie other speakers of the morning will be Rev. Preston Brad- sley of the Peo:3le’s Church, Chicago, on “Liberalism in the Middle VV-est,” and Rev. Harry .5‘-.cla.1n.s Eiersey of St. John’s Uni- versalist Church, Muncie, In'd., on “The Call to the Liberal Ministry.” The addresses at the afternoon session will be as follows: ““§7’Vliat Is Liberalism?”, Robert B. Day, l\Iid—‘West secretary Uni~ tarian Layme-n’s. Leagrue, St. Louis,.Mo.;_., “From Old to New,” Rev. M. M- Mang;asa- rian, Chicago, and “Shall Vafe Have ‘War or Peace in Industry?’’. Rabbi Eugene Mannheimer, Moines, Io. A At the evening‘ session Rev. Albert C. Dieffenbach, l3ost.on, editer of the Christian Register, wi1l_speal: on “"l‘he Present Crisis in Prcte«stanism," to be fo-llomved by Rev. Charles F}. Snyder, Sioux City, Io., on “Our Opportunity in the Present Crisis,” and Rev. Fra.nl=:_.S. C. Vvielcs, In<~1ianapolis,» Ind, on “Our Constructive V»7orlI;.” 9 Thursday morning “A. League of Churches-—I<‘o>r VVl18.l:?"’ will be {discussed by Rev. Franl: Durward Adams, Elgjin, 111., Rev. Fred M. Eliot, St. Paul, Minn., Rev. James W. Vallentyne, Oak Park, 111., and ‘Rev. ‘W’. lYV2<._1dl€,l1’11|3.Z' W’. Angow, iC‘ed.‘a.r Rapi_ds, lo. The ~:lisc-;ussicn of the topic will be continued in the afternoon and Rev. Charles H. Lyttle of the Fii'st Uni- tarian Church, Omaha, Neb., Wiil speak on ~“The Prophetic 1~"unction of the Church and the l\»£[o_dern Demand for Efiiciency.” _ At the evening‘ session an historical ad-‘Q dress will be given by Plalhlbti Jac«ob~ I. Maya‘; ‘erovitz, St. Paul, Minn., on “Liberal Ju- daisin, and the Jewish Contribution tav- "“Liberal Religion.” and the closing address will be g‘iven’by' Rev. Augustus P. Rec» Cord, Detroit. Nlich. C F V H _ Rev. Ka.ufman Kohler, president of He“. " brevf Jnion College, Cincinnati, has been ;, invited to preside at the Thursday sessions J All sessions Will ‘be open"t0 the public. * rn is de‘ng it- lf‘ 0 a spiritual and Inedicaﬁ ministry : and to the operation of a hospital. There are ‘two church buildings, twelve miles apart. at which Sunday and Wednesday afternoon and evening .neetings are held every week, largely attended even “when the temperature fails to thirty degrees be- low zero. The hospital operated by the mission is the only one within a radius of a thousand miles and is doing wonderful work rescuing the natives from the ravages of tuberculosis and other dreadful diseases. "1‘we1ve_ publicity conferences will be held this year under the aurspi-ces of the «national department of pub‘licity of the Episcopal -Church. Last year three conferences were held, one in‘New York. one in St. Louis, and one in Salt Lake City. This year, in order that repres~en.tat'ives of the various dioceses and districts may more conven1- ently attend, the number was increased and will be held accordin-g to the IOlIO'W'lntg;l schedule: May 23, Richmond; May 24, Philadelphia; May 26, Boston; May 30, Utica; May 31, ‘Cincinnati; Junee2, Atlanta; June 6, Dallas; June 9, Denver; June 13, San Francisco; June 16, Portland; June 21, Minneapolis; June 23, «Chicago. The con- ferences will consist of diocesan represen- tatives appointed by the bishops, but other persons actively interested in church pub- licity are invited to attend and participate. At the conferences last year ﬁfty-three dioceses and districts were represented. It is hoped that this year every diocese and district will have at least one representa-= tive present. . The anniversary of the Newton Theologie cal Institution will occur June 4--6. Presi- dent George E. Horr will preach the bac- calaureate sermon Sunday morning, June 4, in the Baptist Church, Newton Centre. Monday i-at 10.30 A. M. the Society of the Ailuvmni will meet with the Bioisoton Baptist Ministers’ Conference as guests. Rev. Charles L. White, executive secretaryof the American Baptist Home ‘Mission ‘ So—- ciety, will deliver the address. This will be followed ‘by the alumni dinner, which also is open to members of the Ministers’ Conference, and will occupy the afternoon. Monday evening the Boston Baptist Social Union will entertain the faculty and senior class at “Newton Night” in Ford Hall. Rev. Harry E. Fosdick of Union Theologi- cal Seminary, New York, will deliver the address. Tuesdvay at 10.80 A. M. the Societv of the Alumni will hold its memorial serv- ice for alumni who have died during the year. At 11 A. M. the oration before the alumni will be given; at 2 P. M. the alumni business meeting will be held, and the Commencement exercises come at 4 P. M., to be followed by the trustees’ dinner at 6 o’clock. The 150th. anniversary of the ‘unding 0' the N'oI"f ""‘r C ‘A ' ‘I w '1 C n
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Title: Mansfield, Adelaide (Claflin) -- to mother, Feb. 17, 1895:
Creator: Mansfield, Adelaide (Claflin)
Description: VC 1897
Date: February 17, 1895
Text: Vassar College. Feb. 17, 1895 My dear Mother, - We heard from home, in a way, this morning, for Dr.Upham, of the First Baptist Church, preached for us- We liked him very much. I think I had heard him just once at home. Katharine Dunham had him over to Strong for lunch yesterday. It was very nice for her. Irene Lawrence, too, goes to his church, you know. We have had an interesting week this week, with the climax last night when the "Trig. Ceremonies" came off. Every body said it was...
Show moreVassar College. Feb. 17, 1895 My dear Mother, - We heard from home, in a way, this morning, for Dr.Upham, of the First Baptist Church, preached for us- We liked him very much. I think I had heard him just once at home. Katharine Dunham had him over to Strong for lunch yesterday. It was very nice for her. Irene Lawrence, too, goes to his church, you know. We have had an interesting week this week, with the climax last night when the "Trig. Ceremonies" came off. Every body said it was the best thing they had seen since they have been in college. Our committee, who wrote it, was very bright and put ever so many cute jokes in it- Ray was one of the committee. The grinds on the Faculty were very good, and not mean, and the Faculty took them beautifully- I never saw them laugh so much. Dr. Taylor chuckled right straight through, and nearly bent double with laughter. They always have the "Ceremonies" printed, so that you can read it and have the Jokes explained in the summer time. Trigonometry was represented by a witch, Goody Trig, who was condemned to be burnt at thetake. When paper they had Goody Trig, tied to the stake they brought out for fuel^lamp- shades which the Board of Trustees have just forbidden us to use any more on account of the danger from fire, and Mrs. Kendrick had just put a notice on the bulletin board to the effect that we must all dispose of our lampshades immediately. I represented Mrs. Kendrick, and I had to sit and knit, and chaperone A.B. - a Puritan maiden with whom '98 was in love, '98, you see, was trying to win A.B. The audience was very enthusiastic and the classes were more hilarious than I ever saw them. Each class cheered for itself, and then they all cheered for Dr. Taylor, andMrs. Kendrick, and some of the Professors.—between the acts. I thought Dr. Upham would think we were a pretty noisy set, but he did not know that this is the only occasion - the great occasion, in the year, when we carry on so. I had a good deal of work in writing the invitations beforehand, on account of my being Secretary- I had to write separate invitations to all the Professors and teachers, and housekeepers and so on. But still I will not have nearly as much work as Secretary of our class, as Carrie has as Secretary of the Y.W.C.A. This week I was appointed a member of the Devotional Committee of the Y.W.C.A. Ray is chairman of the missionary committee.Last night Jo Sleight came and spent the night with us - She was here last year, but does not come this year. She lives only three miles from here, so she comes to see us quite often, and as an ex-student is entitled to spend one day in the college free. She slept In Carrie's bed. since Carrie was invited over to spend the night with Ellen Hailey at one of the cottages. Ellen, you know, is the girl with whom I spent most of my time during the Christmas vacation - We came back from New York together. She is going to become a doctor and is going to a too medical hospital first and be a nurse, for she is quite^ young to enter a medical college. She is going to a hospital next year for she can not afford to go to collegeany longer- (She is an orphan)- So she is a special this semester and takes only what she needs for entering medical college. There are so many who want to come into the college now that all the Specials are banished to live in the cottages- So poor Ellen had to leave us and go over to Mr. Wheeler's to live. Wo have not hoard from Mary for more than two weeks. The last we heard she was talking about spending the winter in Boston, where some friends invited her. But we do not know whether she la there or not. Her brother in Princeton Theological Seminary was very sick, so that her mother had to go there and leave her to keep house. Friday afternoon I heard a very interesting lecture by Prof. John Howard White of Harvard-It was, rather, a talk, for it was at the meeting of the Hellenic Society- composed of girls who take Greek- His subject was a Greek one. In the evening he lectured before the whole college on the "Old Greek Comedy". He was a very fluent and polished speaker. He is a famous authority on Greek subjects - a "big bug." He spent eight months of last year in Athens. Miss Leach had a reception for him afterwards, to which she invited her Junior and Senior Greek classes, and they had ices and coffee for refreshments. I suppose Lou is happy now that her exami- nations are done- Poor girl, 1 am glad she is through with Hall and Knight. I am glad to hear that Clarence is over the mumps- How funny for him to have them at his age. Love to all, and especially to you, dear mother, from your loving daughter Adelaide. [Claflin]
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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to mother, Nov. 1873:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: November 3, 1873
Text: Vassar College. Nov. 3, 1873. My dear Mamma, Prof. Backus has been for once a dear good man, and excused us soon as we finished reciting although the period was not over. By this means I have gained twenty minutes to write this letter to you which I omitted to write yesterday. I was delighted to receive two letters from you last week; It was indeed an unexpected pleasure. But after such nice "newsy" letters I am ashamed to send mine which are mere "wards, words, words,"...
Show moreVassar College. Nov. 3, 1873. My dear Mamma, Prof. Backus has been for once a dear good man, and excused us soon as we finished reciting although the period was not over. By this means I have gained twenty minutes to write this letter to you which I omitted to write yesterday. I was delighted to receive two letters from you last week; It was indeed an unexpected pleasure. But after such nice "newsy" letters I am ashamed to send mine which are mere "wards, words, words," Every Monday so far it has rained, making what is always at school a miserable day still more so. We are now for almost the first time having a taste of real winter weather. The winds are bitter, and old Sol does not show himself to such advantage as we would wish. But do not imagine for a moment that we are personally near the freezing point. I put my nice quilt on at night and am as comfortable and warm as a cat curled up under a stove. Carrie Norton is here this year, but we see each other very seldom. We all have so many calls to make on Saturday and Sunday nights that we only can call onthe same person only at great Internals of time. Carrie tells me that Aunt Annie's fall down cellar some time this fall and of course felt the jar for some time; and that Mr. Whitman felt very blue because suffering from a severe cold which has considered dangerous; however they are all well now and quite cheerful. Have you heard anything from Aunt Cornelia and Uncle John in regard to their spending the winter in Texas? I hope they will come, for I should think it must be quite lonely for you and Carrie with Papa away so much. And has not Mrs. Hunt written to you yet? I am sorry that Lizaand Chloe go to school in town, for the association with other children will do them no good. How are your plants thriving? Being one of the directors of the Floral society this year, I take renewed interest in flowers. I am getting some bulbs for spring and will send you a few. At home I suppose they will blossom as early as February I should think. There is the Joyful sound of the dinner bell, so I must go and eat my brown bread and butter. Lovingly your daughter Julie M. Pease.
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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to Carrie, Jan. 25, 1871:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: January 25, 1871
Text: Vassar College, Jan. 25. 1871. Dear Carrie, Every time 1 think of you (and that is nearly all the time) I think what a little angel you are, and how cross and bad 1 used to be sometimes to you. Why are you so good and smart? How do you manage to be so? X never realised before 1 came here how very selfish 1 was. 1 suppose because you were all so kind and good to me at home that you excused everything from me, but now it seems as though there was nothing at all to me but selfishness and conceit...
Show moreVassar College, Jan. 25. 1871. Dear Carrie, Every time 1 think of you (and that is nearly all the time) I think what a little angel you are, and how cross and bad 1 used to be sometimes to you. Why are you so good and smart? How do you manage to be so? X never realised before 1 came here how very selfish 1 was. 1 suppose because you were all so kind and good to me at home that you excused everything from me, but now it seems as though there was nothing at all to me but selfishness and conceit. When X go home X shall try very hard and not let my wicked temperget the better of me. Here there is no cauae for getting angry because X am not intimate enough with any person and so the selfishness shows out plainer than it ever did before. But don't say a word against this in your letters, for it Is a good thing for me occasionally to see my badness. X have received several Austin papers, but from whom I do not know. The handwriting is certainly none of our family's and it is not C.C.A., and X cannot imagine who they are from; but do not care, so that X receive them. Susie Towns end wrote me that she had seen in an Austin paper that Mr. Swancoat t? , was building, or was going to, a house to be called the "Austin Atheneum," on the plan ofcity houses, with gas, hot and cold water and heated by steam. And that this was to be built on know College Hill. What do you know of it? and what is it intended for. I don't A the meaning of the word "Atheneum" but suppose it to be a place like the Hartford oae and I can't tee that they need hot and cold water, and where is the gas to come from? Austin must have become very much more of a city than It was when I left it, to have arrived at the dignity of gas, or perhaps one of those gas wells has been discovered? The Republican said thst within the last twelve months, one thousand buildings had been put up in Austin; I wonder if they counted all the little negro huts In to makethe number and some chicken houses too I expect. The Binghamton girls and myself have had a pleasure which not very many here have had; and that pleasure was the being present during Faculty meeting. Every Monday afternoon the faculty meet together, and at the last one the three young ladies and myself were called down; it was our being called for about the same affair, our going away for the holidays, andAwas a great surprise, for the Pres. had said before that he would not mention the sub- ject again. It was all Miss JLymans doing I am sure, for she is the most stern woman I think I ever saw. When we have all been told to be very quiet and not talk at all when we pass her doorfor she was very sick and could not bear any noise, it was a surprise to find her in faculty meetings but as some girl said, if she knew she were going to die within an hour, she would still go to facility meeting. But she is really very near the grave and we ought not to make the going down to it any harder for her. Perhaps you have seen in a New York paper the notice of a lecture by one of the Vassar teachers. Miss Swasey £wayae, the elocution teacher went down to N.Y. and delivered a lecture. I don't remember the name it given to but it was about women; what they had done Irom the earliest ages, andhow sometimes they have been superior to men in reso- lution and courage. We all thought that it would be very good, but Miss Beach said that her father attended, and he wrote her that the hall where Miss Swusey lectured was no larger than ours at the Colie^, that there ol were only sixty persons in attendance and^those many looked as though they could not afford to pay the price of admittance, one dollar, and so were probably there by invitation. It is too bad that she did not succeed lor she was intending to make lecturing her business. 1 lease look among my papers in my bureau drawer and if you can find it send the pattern of a transparency tohang in the window. I have at home a very pretty pattern of a cross with leaves and flowers about it, and want it now to make one for my window. I am almost sure that the pattern is with my iraps in one of the drawers of my "yellow bureau." There is splendid sleighing now and tonight the freshman class have a sleighride; they expect to have a grand time, but 1 do not envy them at all because the night is bitter cold. It seems sometimes as though our time was entirely wasted in try- ing to learn Latin. Today we learned one little iact, which was, the exact meaning ol the word "veto." When the Pres. writes "veto" on a bill it is the same assaying "I forbid," lor it is the Latin word meaning that. I presume you knew all about it belore, but I did not. All the good though that Latin is expected to do us is to discipline the mind, but mine can never be disciplined* As Miss Lord* our Latin teacher said, the other day, here they intendAto make us think, lor nothing is excused which results from thoughtlessness or forgetfulness. X shall write to Fapa and will now close. This letter has been in my desk for several days, and today have received letu^rs from home and find answers to some of my questions, but I cannot afford to write my letter over. With much love Julie ,Julia M. Fease, 'TSj
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Title: Woodworth, Mary -- to mother, Mar. 1868:
Creator: Woodworth, Mary
Description: VC 1870
Date: March 15, 1868
Text: Vassar College, Poughkeepsie N.Y. March 15, 1868. My dearest Mother: I have Just come from prayer meeting and will try to write you before I go to bed if I can collect my thoughts sufficiently. This is such a delightful day or rather has been, and I have just about lived out of doors. Saidee and I were out two hours before dinner and since chapel have been out again. There is very little mud for such a time of year, and the walks are very hard and dry. Yesterday forenoon Lizzie Coffin and I...
Show moreVassar College, Poughkeepsie N.Y. March 15, 1868. My dearest Mother: I have Just come from prayer meeting and will try to write you before I go to bed if I can collect my thoughts sufficiently. This is such a delightful day or rather has been, and I have just about lived out of doors. Saidee and I were out two hours before dinner and since chapel have been out again. There is very little mud for such a time of year, and the walks are very hard and dry. Yesterday forenoon Lizzie Coffin and I walked as much as five miles over mud, snow and everything bad. We had a splendid time - went to the top of a high hill where we could see the Highlands, Cats kills, and Fishkill Mts. We wore gymnastic suits and rubber boots - the latter borrowed for the occasion. I enjoyed the whole of it till I began to grow tired. I lay on the lounge two or three hours, then took a bath and felt nicely - so that I went to the sophomore meeting and acted the part of Mrs. Jixmewin ,i.e. Jiniwin, in a scene from Old Curiosity Shop. I am just happy today every way- The spring air is so exhilarating. I am so glad the snow is going off. Oh dear, how fast the girls are talking. I can't write anything at all and you will be perfectly disgusted with it. Don't let father see it. Just tell him I am well and send my love to him. I am ashamed to have him see it. Three weeks from next Wednesday spring vacation commences and I shall not touch a book all the while unless I am a little behind up and want to makeA. I wish I had some calico here and I would make myself a dressbut I have no chart nor anything so I can't. I am glad Grade was so much pleased with her letter from me. Could she read it herself? I certainly cannot write at all tonight. I want to have you burn this letter Just as quick as you can for no one must ever see it. I remember the fit that Lucius had once, hope little Emily will not have such a time as Grade did that summer when you and father were gone. I shudder to think of it. I received a nice paper from father yesterday and am so glad of the news I got. There's a girl here by the name of Talcott who is really six feet tall. The looks like a giraffe. Now I can't write and am not going to try any more. I will do better next time. With a heart full of love Mary. Mary (Parker) Woodworth, '70
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Title: Mansfield, Adelaide (Claflin) -- to Louise Claflin, Dec. 8, 1895:
Creator: Mansfield, Adelaide (Claflin)
Description: VC 1897
Date: December 8, 1895
Text: Vassar College. December 1. 1895. My dear Lou,- This week my chief piece of news is that Ed has been up here. You know Friday was "Phil" — and I had invited Ed. to come up. He came in the evening, just before the lecture - when all the rest of the men came. The lecture was at half-past seven, by Joseph O'Connor - who, everybody says, is "a famous journalist," but I have not yet found anybody who ever heard of him. They tried to get a number of other lecturers first,...
Show moreVassar College. December 1. 1895. My dear Lou,- This week my chief piece of news is that Ed has been up here. You know Friday was "Phil" — and I had invited Ed. to come up. He came in the evening, just before the lecture - when all the rest of the men came. The lecture was at half-past seven, by Joseph O'Connor - who, everybody says, is "a famous journalist," but I have not yet found anybody who ever heard of him. They tried to get a number of other lecturers first, but couldn't. I heard that this man was the ninth one theytried to engage- And unfortunately they wished they had not suc- ceeded in engaging him, for he was extremely stupid as a lecturer - As a usual thing the lectures are humorous or light or interesting - in some way - because on such an occasion the audience needs something quite entertaining to keep their attention — For instance, the girls had their brothers or friends whom they had not seen for some time, and as the lecture was stupid, they could not resist the temptation to whisper- The subject of the lecture was literary style, and it was dis- cussed in just about the same way it would be in a rhetoric - the most commonplace definitions - etc.Of course there were a great many pretty dresses to look at - that and the singing by the Glee Club were redeeming features. There were ten promenades- I kept only one of Ed's for myself, because he was to be here Saturday morning- and distributed the rest among my friends- Mary MacColl, Katharine Dunham, Bertha Young, Maidee Traver, Carrie Abbott, Ray, Gertrude Smith, Carrie, and Jo Sleight. Each girl had a certain place for meeting her friends- the seats in the different parlors being all numbered - So at the end of each promenade Ed returned to our seat, and I went there too, to intro- duce him to the next girl he was to have.Kate Dunham took him to the Senior Parlor to show that to him - and he wrote his name In the guest book there. Ray's brothers, Charlie and Fritx, were here, also Mr. Capen, and so this whole crowd of us went in to refreshments together- I think Ray's brother Charlie came partly to see Mr. Capen, because he had never seen him before- I had a promenade with Mr. Capen, and had a very pleasant talk with him - He stayed over for Saturday, and went out walking with Ray, as he always does on his visits- The rest of us always leave the way clear for him and Ray. I saw Adalbert Bronson here as the guest of Annie Childsthe girl who visited them last Summer- Ed came out about nine o'clock Saturday morning, and he and I went out walking—up to Richmond Hill - from the top of which we can see all the country round- He took the 11:40 train back to New York- He said it seemed so funny to be around among girls, that he kept forgetting to take his hat off when I spoke to one passing- He said he had had to take off his hat in the street only once since he had been in New York, and that was when he had happened to meet the Bringhams. Ed said that when he woke up Friday morning he was undecided whether to come up here, because he had such a headache- He said he hadn't seen a well day for six weeks - he has had a stomach ache all the time, and lately he has had headaches with it- His head ached all the time he was up here- For all that, though, he said he had a very good time here, and One nice thing about it was that it was very good weather- we have not had any snow at all, except the little bit that we had over a month ago- It seems strange too, for we hear of snow in all other parts of the country- We shall be able to go skating in a day or two, I think - some beys from town were skating on our pond the other night and some girls early the next morning, but the danger signal is still up - The lake is frozenvery smooth and it will be fine skating- The gymnasium opened last week for regular gym. work— In the fall the basket and battleball teams play so much voluntarily and for others there is so much to attract them outdoors, that we take plenty of exercise outdoors, and gym. does not have to begin till it is too cold to attract us, except for accessary exercise, outdoors. I have heard hardly anything about the Women's College this year- I keep wondering what is going on there. None of the girls there have written to me, because I owe them letters, and have not had time to write to them. Do you see much of Carrie Hardy? Remember me to her the next time you see her, will you? And also to Nina Roberts and Alice Cage and Emilie—and Sadie Adams - I have not even written to her yet- Lovingly your sister Adelaide. (Claflin)
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Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mother, Father, and Pete, January 23, 1920 [1921]
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-23[1921]
Text: January 23, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just finished writing a very enlightening paper on Jane Austen's satire of the Gothic novel. It took two hours and a half, and is quite a masterpiece! I got up for breakfast this morning, knowing that if I didn't, I wouldn't get to work till about eleven o'clock. I then came up, read the paper, took a bath, made my bed, and proceeded to work. This reminds me of a Mark Twain diary. Jo and I wrote what we considered a...
Show moreJanuary 23, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just finished writing a very enlightening paper on Jane Austen's satire of the Gothic novel. It took two hours and a half, and is quite a masterpiece! I got up for breakfast this morning, knowing that if I didn't, I wouldn't get to work till about eleven o'clock. I then came up, read the paper, took a bath, made my bed, and proceeded to work. This reminds me of a Mark Twain diary. Jo and I wrote what we considered a very clever dialogue for Spanish tomorrow. It took us two of the other members of the honorable class, they told us that it was better Spanish than they could write but that the joke which we were developing was old as the hills. We had both heard it in French, but never in English. Apparently it is an American joke, too,--the story of a man who goes to consult a doctor because he is feeling sick. The doctor takes his temperature, pulse, etc., asks a million questions, gives him a prescription, and he tells him what he needs more than anything else is lots of exercise. He then gives a long speech on the lack of exercise in modern life. As soon as the patient can get a word edgewise, he says, "But doctor, I am a postman!" I suppose you have heard it, too. At any rate, it is not so easy, working that up cleverly in Spanish. I still have some Chem and American history to do for tomorrow, also plenty of boring, boring, boring English Speech for the written exam which comes Thursday. I am through with Ec for two weeks. I have done all my studying for the exam. It took exactly three hours. Love, Fannie I had a letter from Aunt Hattie yesterday. She didn't say much.[enc w/23 Jan 1921] O fprgpt to tell you about our debate dinner. Khaki came up late yesterday afternoon to remind about it. It is a good thing she did, or I should have forgotten about it completely. It was at Mrs. Glenn's, which is a small house two blocks from campus and which makes a specialty of serving dinner-parties. We had the dining-room, and in the room adjoining there was a party of all the Jews who were in Raymond last year. I hope their food was as good as ours! We had tomato bisque, wonderful chewable steak, mashed potatoes, peas, fruit salad, ice cream, delicious cocoanut cake, not to mention wonderful jelly rolls, olives, and celery. The funny part of the meal was that when Betty Cannon stopped for me, she said, "Oh, I forgot my pocket-book. How much do you suppose it will be? It's funny that Khaki never said anything about the price". Well, in the course of the meal, one of the girls said, to her, "Don't you wish your father could see us enjoying this food?" From which we gathered that her father was treating us, only she had neglected to tell us so. Anyhow, it was a pretty good treat that he gave and us so. Anyhow, it was a pretty good treat that he gave and a very good idea on his part it was! There were twelve at the table, including committee, team, alternates, and the senior ex-member of intercollegiate debate who helped coach us. We discussed everything from compulsory chapel to the movies, it seems to me. I was rather quiet on the latter subject, not knowing an awful lot about it. The chapel discussion arose from the fact that Shrimp Marshall, one of the members of the committee, is on Studens'[sic] Board, and apparently their meetings for the last month have discussed nothing but the poor decorum in chapel. Incidentally, not one of the twelve there approvedof compulsory chapel. Well, the interesting part of the discussion came when Betsy Strong came out with the firmly uttered conviction that she thought it was a chame on the part of the Trustees, who claim to be so broad-minded, to compel the Catholic and Jewish girls to go to chapel. Seh[sic] went on a great rate, in fact I tried to get in a word edgewise, but could not succeed. She said, among other things, that it was impossible to feel like prayingduring Prexie's prayer, when a lot of the people were gazing blankly at the ceiling, the Jewish girls, for instance. I did manage to say then that just because they did not bean forward did not indicate that that they were not praying. Incidentally, it was sort of a shallow argument, because it is pertty hard to know what other people are doing! Just then I heard Phyllis say in a very low tone, but not low enough, to her next door neighbor, "Well, I wonder what Betsy will say next, Fannie is Jewish. She must be dense" Then I started to feel amused, but before that, I was rather uncomfortable, for the simple reason that i did not know what was coming next. Soon after that, Phyllis started the conversation in another direction. Altogether, it was a very enjoyable evening and one which I will have a great deal of pleasure in remembering. I thought of Marse during the meal. Everybody was dressed up and looked nice. He always claims that there are so few pretty girls in existence. Well, I think of the twelve, eight were among the prettiest girls at college. It's too bad he didn't see the party. I wrote to him the other day.
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Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Aaron, n.d. [postmarked May 9, 1922]
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-05-09]
Text: Tuesday All well but most busy Love, FannieMr. and Mrs. Marcus Aaron 402 S. Winebiddle Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa.

Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mother, Father, and Pete, April 24,1922
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-04-24
Text: Dear Mother: You have a sense of humor! I'll be lucky if I can keep up with my schedule - much less get ahead of it! I finished my Ren. topic yest. aft. + went to bed at 5, as a result of my [inability] to sleep the night before. Feel quite restored today. Love, Fannie[This side of card is for address]

Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to mother, May 1872:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: May 5, 1872
Text: Vassar College May 5. 1872. My dear Mamma, I find my supply of writing paper has become reduced to a few sheets of Composition paper, and as this is Sunday Eve I must have recourse to it. Yesterday at six o'clock a.m. nine of us had breakfast and then went down to the depot, from where we started for New York, at seven. Prof. Mitchell and some of her friends. Dr. Avery, Mr. Swan and Prof. Van Ingen went down with us. The three latter, with us students, went for the purpose, as I have...
Show moreVassar College May 5. 1872. My dear Mamma, I find my supply of writing paper has become reduced to a few sheets of Composition paper, and as this is Sunday Eve I must have recourse to it. Yesterday at six o'clock a.m. nine of us had breakfast and then went down to the depot, from where we started for New York, at seven. Prof. Mitchell and some of her friends. Dr. Avery, Mr. Swan and Prof. Van Ingen went down with us. The three latter, with us students, went for the purpose, as I have before written you, of seeing the pictures now on exhibition in New York. Reaching the city at a little after nine o'clock, we went directly to the Academy of Design, where we remained looking at the pictures until dinner time. All the pictures there are ori- ginal In design. Three were six different rooms filled with paintings of every imaginable kind, but among them allthe number of really good pictures was small. One of Prof. Van Ingen's paintings "The Mother and Child" was on exhibition. It Is a very fine cow and calf, well painted and very natural, and yet not a picture I should desire to have unless possessing a regular Picture Gallery. Many of the paintings at the Academy, as well as elsewhere, were not better than some of the girls here make, but then, here they only copy. There was a lovely head of a young girl at the Academy, and another picture was very good, an evening home scene. A young girl Is sitting by the table winding some worsted which her little brother holds In his hands, her father stands near her looking quite stern because a young man, whom he apparently does not like, Is being ushered in. Just at this moment a knot is found in the yam, and the girl gives it a twitch. All is so natural, and the light on the picture so fine. The gas by the table throws a reddish yellow light on the figures in the foreground, just as it really would. Among the statuary we saw a fine bust of Spring. After the Academy, our party proceeded to a Restaurant and were served withDinner, an all Important matter as we were not able to live entirely upon pictures, although some quite natural fruit was seen, and some fishes which looked as If they might be eaten. When our feast was ended we proceeded to the Aspinwalls, Collection. It is In a private house on Fifth Av. and contains some very valuable paintings. But I might use up all my paper, which is intended for essays, In describing the pictures which we saw. Suffice it to say that we went to very many picture galleries and saw numberless paintings, but most of them were poor and were such that I would not have them for a gift. We reached the College at nine in the evening and found a nice hot supper prepared for us. After it we went joyfully to bed, being dreadfully tired. I believe I have not written to you since Founders night, and so must tell you about it. Mr. Boardman from Philadelphia, gave the address, then there was music and singing, afterwards, the Collation and promenading. Dr. Avery had Invited the Swans out and Captain and Mrs. Roberts. So that I enjoyed my-self very much with them. As before. Captain Roberts and Nannie wished to be remembered to you all. Last Monday of course was a holiday and Tuesday was a half-holiday, so that we have lately had a good deal of rest from study. Wednesday afternoon Fannie Buffington and I walked Into town and missed hearing the colored Jubilee singers. They came out to the College and sang some of their melodies very nicely, we were told. It seems these darkies belong to a College in Nashville, Tenn. and left there last October to give a series of Concerts for the benefit of their College. They have made twenty thousand dollars and now will return home. I think of Papa as now in Cincinnati. It is too bad that when he is only two days ride from me he cannot come, but business is a tyrant and must be attended to. I received a letter from Aunt Maria Robinson, last week. She wished me to ask you to bring on the daginetype type of Grandma Pease which we have at home. She desires to have some photographs taken from it, same else as Grandpa's. Here endeth my paper and so must my letter.Please congratulate Martha for me and tell her I feel almost slighted because I have not received some wedding cake to dream over. With love to every body, I am, your loving and absent daughter Julie.
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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to family, Sep. 1870:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: September 1870
Text: Vassar College. Saturday Mora. ,Sept. 1870, Dear Carrie, Your letter came day before yesterday, and I would have answered it sooner except that X wished to find out about entering the college before writing you) for I would se much like to have you come here this year. None are allowed to enter the college without examination, neither are any permitted to take only French and music or only Art Studies. But you could come and takeone English beaseh study besides French end singing. It might be...
Show moreVassar College. Saturday Mora. ,Sept. 1870, Dear Carrie, Your letter came day before yesterday, and I would have answered it sooner except that X wished to find out about entering the college before writing you) for I would se much like to have you come here this year. None are allowed to enter the college without examination, neither are any permitted to take only French and music or only Art Studies. But you could come and takeone English beaseh study besides French end singing. It might be anything you chose, for you are over eighteen and may be special* The examination for admittance I know you can pass. In Arithmetic you will only be questioned a little about and will be given examples only in fraction which I think you can do perfectly. Geography you will be asked where certain mountains fc rivers are, the capitals of foreign countries, about oceans, and In which direction some places are from each other* History I am to be reexamined in and will tell you the things which Prof. Backus told me I must be prepared in for reexamination. The early colo- nies, the revolutionary war. Warof 1812, Constitution of the U.S., the administration from Washington to present time. The late rebellion and the discovery of America of course will be asked about. The examination in Grammar I think you will pass. Write me soon If you desire to come for I will try end get a pleasant room. I am not in any of Miss Hamlin's classes, she has single Latin and I study double. I had a letter from Mary Rawsoa a few days ago, in which she said that Eugenie Eppersoa was atteadiag school at the Packer and liked it very much. 1 have had no letter from fyybf Gussie Bridgland but as her letters will have to go to her parents before comingto ma. Grace Pikes address is Pelham Priory, Pelham, Haw York. You must excuse such a miserable letter but Carrie Norton and Bessie Hogg are In my parlor waiting for ma to go chestnutting with them, aad talking aad laugh- lag, and of course I can not write. Goodbye Julie M. Pease iJulla M. Pease, <75 s
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Title: Barus, Annie Howes. Letter, 1869
Creator: Barus, Annie Howes
Descriptor(s): Ditkoff, Andrea
Description: 1 letter from Barus to Edith. Includes detailed descriptions of her entrance examinations, housing situations and furnishings, roommates, daily routine, meals, and classes. Also relates an account of her meeting the president to be accepted after the examination.
Date: 1869

Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mother, Father, and Pete, [October 29, 1919]
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [1919-10-29]
Text: [29 oct 1919] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete; It will have to be a hurried letter again, although I have loads to tell you. The book I wanted Sunday in the library was in use, and I had to rush over immediately after lunch yesterday to get it. I worked in the library from one-fofteen to five-thirty. Then I cam[sic] home and did my work for today. I have all the material for the history topic now, and I have to arange it today. That ought to take one hour. I am one of a committee of four to...
Show more[29 oct 1919] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete; It will have to be a hurried letter again, although I have loads to tell you. The book I wanted Sunday in the library was in use, and I had to rush over immediately after lunch yesterday to get it. I worked in the library from one-fofteen to five-thirty. Then I cam[sic] home and did my work for today. I have all the material for the history topic now, and I have to arange it today. That ought to take one hour. I am one of a committee of four to arrange a course of study for our English class. The object in the classes is to do what they want to do, provided it meets with tge approval of the teacher, of course. We have been excused from two themes, but it means an awful lot of work in the library. Have you any suggestions, old man? The idea is to get plenty of essays, among other things, but they should be of first importance. I discovered today, Father, that the niece of Mrs. Keyes'friend is in my English class. I think she is the girl we passed going to chapel. I told her I met her aunt. The reason for rushing this letter so is that I want to get some exercise today. I missed it yesterday. I shall probably play basket-ball outdoors. It is very warm today. The glass things came. They are awfully pretty--aren't they too pretty and good for here, Mother. I don't want to have any valuable things parading around. Also, my room has all it can stand now, so don't you or anybody else get an idea that there is another thing that I need. Don't send any more silk stockings--I brought those old ones along because I knew they were wearing out and because I could not use them for good. I have enough. We measured North Tower in Math hour yesterday, using surveyors' instruments. It was loads of fun. As we were measuring some old lady came up and wanted to know if we were building a new dormitory. We told her it was just for math, and she said, "Oh, I can sympathize with you-fifty years ago I did the same thing." Only North Tower was not there then. That is all that I have time for. I hope Aunt Hattie has sent me a costume. If not, I can do the way most other people do, and get something up myself. Towels help a lot. Love,
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Title: Bates, Sarah -- to Isabel Treadwell, Jan. 26, 1867:
Creator: Bates (Glazier), Sarah
Description: VC 1868
Date: January 26, 1867
Text: Vassar College, Po'k N.Y. Saturday Evening Jan 26./67 Dear Auntie Belle Just imagine your niece Sarah, feeling so tired and stupid that she cannot study, making up her mind to impose some of her stupidity upon her Auntie Belle,—and then you'll not wonder at anything you may meet with. — But if I wait, I fear you will never hear from me, - not a very great catastrophe to you, but the lack of an answer would be a decided one to me. — Don...
Show moreVassar College, Po'k N.Y. Saturday Evening Jan 26./67 Dear Auntie Belle Just imagine your niece Sarah, feeling so tired and stupid that she cannot study, making up her mind to impose some of her stupidity upon her Auntie Belle,—and then you'll not wonder at anything you may meet with. — But if I wait, I fear you will never hear from me, - not a very great catastrophe to you, but the lack of an answer would be a decided one to me. — Don't worry now, for fear all this large sheet is to be filled with my sleepy musings for I shall leave a portion for Louise, who, at the present speaking is, with the other Juniors, taking tea, and spending the evening with Miss Lyman. — Dear me—It's such a long time since we've written to you, that I shudder at the task it would be to tell you of all that has happened,—and I feel sure you'd never survive last term to shudder, after worrying through it. — Affairs at Vassar jogged on very much in the old way you remember. The programme of the Anniversary Meeting I enclose, with moral reflections thereon. — Chapter Delta ended up before the Holidays with quite a grand theatrical performance. Two plays, "The School for Daughters," and "Perfection or the Maid of Minister' were really very nieely performed considering the circumstances. — Some of the girls did very well. & Miss Schuyler, one of the students of this year was superb as a rich widow. Laura Gay, as a romping school- girl Lizzie Williams as a sentimental reader of novels, Susie Wright, as an exquisite young man who must have perfection in a wife; Clara Spaulding as the "Maid of Munster", with whom he was captivated in spite of himself; and Miss Frothingham as a fusty old bachelor; — all did splendidly. Moreover Miss F. was the leader of a fine orchestra of combs, and with her gray wig, swallow-tailed coat & white beaver, was quite too much for the gravity of beholders. — And so we prepared to go home Christmas. We were told to be good girls, and everything should be arranged perfectly, and we should go hence, to the homes of our respective families, in peace and safety. Louise and I were to start at 6 1/2 A.M. from the Po'k depot. Owing to the "perfect arrangements", we, with about fifty others had the felicity of waiting three blessed hours in that depot. — We amused ourselves in various ways. Lizzie Arms fainted and kept half-a-dozen busy until the train started; one of the Curtis's had the hysterics; we wrote a note of thanks to Cyrus Swan Esq., "for the perfect arrangements (these were the great words which had been harped upon) which enabled us to reach the depot for the 6.30 train, at it 6.45," and sent it to that gentleman's mansion (signed by the most of the fifty) by Misses Talbot & Goodsell, - and finally Miss Pendleton wrote some "verses", - the only verse of which I remember, ran on this wise* "Perfect arrangement", O Cyrus Swan Is just the thing to rely upon 'Twill carry you safe, and carry you true On every stage - way even through - To - the depot - to the depot! -—Our morning's detention was only the beginning of all sorts of adventures for L. and me during the day - but we finally reached home, I, at 8 1/2 o'clock P.M., - just in time to attend a fair the ladies of our church were holding for the benefit of a mission school. - I enjoyed it much, as a change from school work, seeing the people &c. - Of course I enjoyed every minute of the vacation. I didn't indulge in any new garments except a "shirt gown and petticoat" which are now so much in vogue. How do you like them? I think they are exceedingly sensible for street and school wear, and like mine much. — Do you remember wishing one of the enclosed cards, when you were in H. - I send it, though you may have obtained one. — And, by the way, I have never thought to tell you, that several weeks after you left H., Sarah Wolcott told me she saw a letter advertised for you, the week after but did not think to speak of it at the time, - so I could not obtain it for you. I mention it, that if you ever missed a letter about that time you may know what it means. — You can imagine, it seemed odd enough to have Sarah W. gone from H. I hear from her in Chicago, which she doesn't seem to like amazingly, but perhaps she will like it better now that her mother and sister have gone to spend the winter, and she will be less homesick. — I think she told me your cousin Johnny had another scheme of going West, though I do not know exactly where. —— I presented the picture a - Du, but it was rather hard on the poor fellow - as the phraseology "the lady who looks like Anna Dickinson", was not his but mine. However, he accepted the picture, though rather disgusted at first, for the sake of the handwriting on the back. ---- We had a comical enough time getting back to Vassar. The "powers that be" undertook to commence recitations on Friday, -but only 104 were present in chapel that morning - and they didn't hurry themselves about getting back either. — I am even busier than last term and hardly get a moment to take a long breath. — I've been reading Livy in Latin and commence Horace Tuesday.P.S. 9 1/2 o'clock P.M. Louise doesn't yet get home from the levfte, and It strikes me that in spite of my promises of good behaviour in the beginning, I may as well fill up the remainder of the sheet, and L. will doubtless write to you just as soon as she can get time. — £ should have been at the Observatory this evening, if it had been pleasant, - and you would have escaped this. What with writing a composition every two weeks in addition to all our other cares, Saturdays are no longer the "peaceful days we once enjoyed", when we could engage in letter-writing for diversion. — To-day we had the regular meeting of a "missionary society", (don't you wonder what organi- sation will spring up next?) which is to meet once a month. — I'd tell you the "object", if the preamble wasn't nearly half a rod long which describes the "aims, ends, and motives", and if I commenced I shouldn't Sept. 5, 1869 - 3 like to be cut short. — The officers for the coming year were elected} Miss Goods ell Pres.j Miss Blatchly V.P.; Miss Pope (new student) Rec. Sec. Mrs. KOller Cor. Sec.! Miss Shattuck, Treas. — Mrs. Jvflller ought to have been Pres., for she has been very active in the matter, but some dispensation of Providence prevented, though I'm sure I^did my duty, and voted in the orthodox fashion of "early and often". — Chapter Delta elected officers two or three weeks ago. Pres. ditto last term. V.P. Whitney| Sec. Strong} Editor, Gayj Critics, Blatchley & Storke; Corrsp Sec. Glover & Hoyt. —— We've been trying to have lectures before the Soc. this winter. Louise is chairman of the committee for that purpose. We expected Rev. Manning of Boston on the 18th but he got snow-bound, - and may come next week. — Gough lectured in Po 'k last night. Muiy of the girls went in to hear him. He came to the college this morning (there goes the warning belli) - and spoke a few words to us in the chapel. Good night — not to say, "Adlos, Valete &c" - Yours S.—I expect you'll be enraged at me for taking up so much room, but I think of a hundred things I would like to say to you. So many times we wish we could see Belle and Ellie and have a good talk. We hear from Ellie occasionally, and she seems to want very much to hear more of you. — I hear from Miss Snyder now and then - you can imagine what Jan. 26, X 867 - 6 interesting letters they are too. - And 1 received a brief note from Lyra the other day * so sad, poor child! — Mater Rice sends her love to you and wishes so much to hear from you - and wants to know • when Lizzie Reynolds is coming?" — I know you must be busy with all you have to do, — but please try to write a little oftener to yours with very much love S.G.
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Title: Faust, Frances (Patterson). Letter, 1888
Creator: Faust, Frances (Patterson)
Descriptor(s): Ditkoff, Andrea
Description: 1 letter from Faust to her brother George M. Patterson. Faust relates her participation in a play, which was deemed "immoral" by a faculty member and had to be rewritten by the cast before they performed. She also describes a spelling competition between the class societies of 1888 and 1889. She concludes with an anecdote about her friend receiving flowers from a male suitor.
Date: 1888

Title: Mansfield, Adelaide (Claflin) -- to mother, Dec. 10, 1893:
Creator: Mansfield, Adelaide (Claflin)
Description: VC 1897
Date: December 10, 1893
Text: Vassar College, Dec. 10, 1893 My dear Mamma,—- I have just written a long letter to Edie to Zanesville - I haven't the slightest idea whether or not she is still there, and I have only a few minutes left before bed time, so I can write only a short letter- I do find bed time so inconvenient sometimes, if only I could stay up after ten, la* more than three times a month- but, of course, you will say, it is better for my health. Still when we do take cuts, we generally take good long ones,...
Show moreVassar College, Dec. 10, 1893 My dear Mamma,—- I have just written a long letter to Edie to Zanesville - I haven't the slightest idea whether or not she is still there, and I have only a few minutes left before bed time, so I can write only a short letter- I do find bed time so inconvenient sometimes, if only I could stay up after ten, la* more than three times a month- but, of course, you will say, it is better for my health. Still when we do take cuts, we generally take good long ones, to get the full benefit. Friday night after Phil, we did notget to bed till about one. Every year before this Phil has lasted until eleven, but this year they extended the time to twelve. Every body had to go home promptly at that time, but a lot of girls came into our room and talked for a while. I had a pretty good time Phil. Ray's brother Harry came up, and I had a promenade with him, of course. They had it in the main building after all; instead of in the Hall of Casts. They had a small orchestra there, and each prom, was about fifteen minutes long. We walked up and down in the long corridors, which are very well suited to the purpose. Then the college parlors were furnished by the girls, with pretty things, and lots of sofa cushions (by the way I believe there are at least two thousand sofa cushions in this institution; they arc considered more necessary than chairs, and there certainly a good many more of them inmost rooms). Dr. Taylor's parlors were thrown open, too, so that we could step aside and sit down whenever we felt like it. I had promised three other girls to take proms, with their men, but all three of them couldn't come after all. A good many of the men stayed over and spent Saturday here. Lillian Bay lis s had her brother here, who used to be in my Greek class, but of course he wouldn't know me now, aad I am not sorry. I am sure Fred White, who lives next to the Thayer's on Euclid, was here, too, though\at first I did not recog- nise his face because he has changed so much. I wore my commence- ment dress, and I have grown so fat since it was made that I could scarcely get into it, in fact, at first I didn't believe I could wear it. All my dresses are tighter for me than they were, but I can still wear them all easily except that one. I am gdhg to eat less, and exercise more, after this, because I cant afford to be spendingtime or money in letting out my dresses. I took my examination in American History yesterday morning. I reviewed it during Thanksgiving vacation, and on Friday afternoon. I am not sure whether I passed or not, and I do not know how soon I will know. If I did not pass, I will have to take another exam, in it. It was not very easy, and I know several things that I got wrong on it. I am just beginning to think sbout Christmas presents- The cheapest things to buy in this town are books. I saw some very prettily bound ones yesterday very cheap, for instance the "Bird's Christmas Carol" and "Editha's Burglar", the "Bird's Xmas Carol", just like mine for 50 cts. and very pretty editions of other books for from twenty five cts. up. It the family are going to make me any present, a fountain pen would be appreciated most. We will have to take so many notes in ink in the library - but if funds are low, never mind making Xmas presents. Quarter to ten, so goodnight. Your loving daughter Adelaide.Claflin, I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Bingham's death. How can the church get along without him? He has done so much for it for so long. I have been so good this week as to write to Aunt Allic and Mrs. Holway.
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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to mother, Mar. 5, 1871:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: March 5, 1871
Text: March 5, 1871 Sunday Dear Mamma, It la almost night, and I havo not yet written my letters hvmel I have all my letters to write on the Sabbath day, because 1 am now so busy that X can Had no other time. You all seem to have become roused at last* for your letters of the 17th and 19th were quite long. I hope the Improvement in the number of pages will be a lasting one. Papa wrote that my letters did not reach you regularly, that is not the case with yours. in getting I always expect, and am...
Show moreMarch 5, 1871 Sunday Dear Mamma, It la almost night, and I havo not yet written my letters hvmel I have all my letters to write on the Sabbath day, because 1 am now so busy that X can Had no other time. You all seem to have become roused at last* for your letters of the 17th and 19th were quite long. I hope the Improvement in the number of pages will be a lasting one. Papa wrote that my letters did not reach you regularly, that is not the case with yours. in getting I always expect, and am seldom disappointed, a letter from home on ThursdayThose written on Sunday never fall to reach ma Thursday— sometimes the others are behind time. It »eentft I have not written you all I know of Eugenia Epperson. Mary Rowsea wrote me that Miss Annie (I don't remember the last name, but you will know that I mean the young lady who boards wfih Mrs. Brown) received a letter from her written at Anchorage, Kentucky. She is attending school there. As I had promised Immediately aftor learning her direction Eugenia I would write to her, I dl^ but have not yet received an answer. I did not moan that X wanted another winter dross although I need one, I had no Idea of getting ona. Of course X must have one for spring and when X wrote yon as I then expectedAtospend tha April holidays In New York, I thought the dress would have to be made before going. X have decided to remain In the College at that time and then can get my dress made. For many reasons it seems best not to leave the College. I would need a good many things and would spend about twice as much money as If I remained here. I can rest as well here as anywhere, and rest is the most important result ol the vacation* I will show yoa how each day is divided and thea you will see that X have not very much time to spare. Sat. and Sunday we breakfast at eight oclock, other days at quarter before seven. Dinner Is at one : t if. . *' _' ' 1 and supper six every day. The school day la divided Into ten periods ol 40 minutes each. All are study periods except the sixth, that, aad Irom eight to nine In the morning are the only recreatioa periods we have during the day except twenty minutes before dinner and supper. In the evening there Is study hour from eight to nine, the rest ol the time Is , » J I ii f1 ( C > ' our own, but it generally has to be spent la learning lessons. They seem determined that we shall have enough religious ins true- i < . •• r: » i -t < .• » tion. Fifteen services that we mast attend weekly; there are, chapel twice a day and three times Sunday, and Bible Class. Then there is a prayer meeting every evening and, now during Lent, we Epls. have service every Sat. night.I must write Carrie a letter and go to prayer meeting besides making some calls this evening and so must end this letter here. Very lovingly Julie M. P. (Julia M. Pease, '75,
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Title: Barnes, Lucy (Sellers). Letters, 1870-1875
Creator: Barnes, Lucy (Sellers)
Description: 17 letters from Barnes to family. The 5 letters to George Taylor Barnes are transcripts only; Vassar does not hold the originals. The letters describe the daily student routine, food and meal time, prayer requirements, final examinations, student government and class government, traditions relating to class parlors, acting in a Philaletheis play, lectures, a sermon by James Chaplin Beecher.
Date: 1870-1875

Title: Griffis, Katharine -- to Mary Grace Toll Hill Oct. 1875:
Creator: Griffis (Stanton), Katharine
Description: VC 1877
Date: October 10, 1875
Text: Vassar College, Oct. 10/75 My dearest Millie: If you knew what a time I bad been having getting settled, my studies arranged fc myself acclimated, you would have written me a long, loving letter, telling me all the home news It saying that you missed me a little. Oh, 1 have been so homesick Ik lonesome, here among so many, many strange faces. I have thought of you all so much, of the nice times you were having fc "me not in 'em," fc it almost seemed as if I never could get used...
Show moreVassar College, Oct. 10/75 My dearest Millie: If you knew what a time I bad been having getting settled, my studies arranged fc myself acclimated, you would have written me a long, loving letter, telling me all the home news It saying that you missed me a little. Oh, 1 have been so homesick Ik lonesome, here among so many, many strange faces. I have thought of you all so much, of the nice times you were having fc "me not in 'em," fc it almost seemed as if I never could get used to things here. Of course, I am glad to be here I know there is work for me to do fc I want to do it, but Mary, If you knew what heart aches 1 have had fc how hard It seems for me to be reconciled to the change which has come to oar family.—*- What a goose I am to begin my first letter to yoa, from my aevr quarters, with groaning. I must tell you about things, for next year I am going to bring yoa back with me. ft Is such a wonderful place. I declare, although I have thought of it fc hoped to come here for so long, I never began to realise what a world it la In itself. When are go streaming In to our meals It seems like a hotel, fc there are chances here for an Immense amount of fan. Everything that can Interest us. Is provided for us: a bowling alley, a stage for the dramatic performances, with scenery, a dressing room, place for orchestra, etc., a cosy reading room, with all the latest maga- zines, papers, fc periodicals, fc the library la the moat delightful place. And the grounds—words fail to tell how lovely all the walks fc places are. Oct. 10, 1875 - 2 particularly at this season of the year. We are obliged to take an hour's exercise every day 8c can take as much more as we please. The girls go off on tramps 8c come back with their arms filled with ferns, mosses, bright colored leaves, etc. ^f with which they make their rooms cosy 8c bright for Winter. The rooms here are all large 8c pleasant, some of them wonderfully so. I have a great room on the fifth floor with two glorious windows, facing West 8c South, 8c think of the views 8c the sunsets I have, inside it is not very cheerful, as I have no roommate, & did not bring many things with me* There are two Newbury port girls here, one of whom (Lottie Johnson) I used to know, 8c she has been too kind to me for anything. She has taken me around, introduced me to people, made me perfectly welcome to her room at all times, 8c been a great comfort to me. Oh, 8c by the way, a sister of £d Botsford is here. Isn't that funny? She Is a queer little thing, with pretty eyes V quite bright. She has patronized me quite extensively, a party who were going on called oa me, in fact, to quite a borons extent, invited me to join an A expedition for leaves, etc* etc* She has been here three years. Ed, she tells me, is studying Law in Rochester. Isn't It odd how people turn up in this World? I sit at table next a girl who knows my old chum, well, 8c there is a teacher here who was aa intimate friend of Nettie Mooney. Do you remember that Frank Kellogg that we met at Saratoga a long time ago? His sister was one of Lottie Johnson's most intimate friends. But the silent-hour bell has rung & I must say good night. Do write soon & you shall hare a speedy reply if you wish it. Please give my love to every one, particularly Alice Hoag. Tell me all about the fair & your fun. Ever your loving Katie. (Katharine (Jtanton) Griffis, '77, To Mary Grace Toll Hill of Schenectady
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Title: McAndrew, Marjorie. Letters, 1916-1917
Creator: McAndrew, Marjorie
Descriptor(s): Bielat, Isabel
Description: VC Ex 1920
11 letters to McAndrew (VC Ex 1920) from friends and family, dated between 1916 and 1917. The longer letters from McAndrew’s family discuss social and family news, Vassar activities, naval exercises, correspondence and gifts from other family members, and promised clothing. A letter from Hazel A. Ware (VC 1913) advises McAndrew on academic and social opportunities at Vassar, describes Ware’s experiences teaching school, and expresses sympathy for McAndrew following the death of her ...
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11 letters to McAndrew (VC Ex 1920) from friends and family, dated between 1916 and 1917. The longer letters from McAndrew’s family discuss social and family news, Vassar activities, naval exercises, correspondence and gifts from other family members, and promised clothing. A letter from Hazel A. Ware (VC 1913) advises McAndrew on academic and social opportunities at Vassar, describes Ware’s experiences teaching school, and expresses sympathy for McAndrew following the death of her father. Shorter letters include an acknowledgement of a sympathy card, a tennis invitation, a Bible class reminder and reading assignment, a brief response to a letter McAndrew had sent, and a change of Thanksgiving travel plans.
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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to Carrie, Dec. 1871:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: December 10, 1871
Text: Vassar College, Dec. 10, 1871. My dear Carrie, This morning we had a good but very loag sermon from Mr. Hamlin of Constantinople. He is the father of Miss Abby and Carrie Hamlin) he looks a good deal like Miss Abby. Did I ever write you that Miss Abby went home this summer? X have never been able to find out whether her sister went with her. Miss Carrie was studying medicine in Philadelphia the last X heard of her. Mr. Hamlin will talk to us again this evening at the meeting of Religious...
Show moreVassar College, Dec. 10, 1871. My dear Carrie, This morning we had a good but very loag sermon from Mr. Hamlin of Constantinople. He is the father of Miss Abby and Carrie Hamlin) he looks a good deal like Miss Abby. Did I ever write you that Miss Abby went home this summer? X have never been able to find out whether her sister went with her. Miss Carrie was studying medicine in Philadelphia the last X heard of her. Mr. Hamlin will talk to us again this evening at the meeting of Religious Enquiry.Friday night was the anniversary of the Philalethean Society. The programme was pretty much the same as that of last year. The opening address was the best thing read. The collation was scarcely as fine as usual. I will send you a programme. Col. Smith was here that evening. X had just finished curling Mollie Hill's hair, when a messenger girl came up and told mex CoL Smith wsshttdxte see me Immediately in the parlor. I was very much astonished and at first could not think who she meant, but I went down in my wrapper because it would have taken me a long time to have dressed for the evening. He ^ays he will be in Austin the middleof next month and of course will be at our house, and wanted to receive some message from me to you all. I sent one very important message but will not take from him the pleasure of giving it. Miss Arnold has left our parlor and Mollie Hill has her room. Mollie is from Kentucky, from her name one would know her to be southern. She is very nice and very smart hut is a great rebel. One day I happened te speak of hearing the hounds out after runaway negroes, and you ought to have seen her fire up. We have never said aaythlng more upon the sub* ject of politics. She said that never in Kentucky had dogs been set upon negroes, and persisted in it, and many otherthings of the same kind. I hope you will have your silk made by New Tears day. The lace is to go around the overskirt and trim the waist and sleeves, and the gimp (guimpe, Is to head the lace, W e thought the underskirt would be prettier with a wide flounce. Make the skirt very long. A dress Is net at all stylish unless it hangs at least an inch on the fleer. All the talk here new is about the Grand Duke Alexis. The mayor of Pe'keepsie invited him up and we hoped he would come out here, but have given that up now. On his way up to West Point he danced with a daughter ef Prof. Morse. The yeuag lady is said to be very charming and I presume felt highly honored. We read in a New Terk paper of the death ef the Prince ef Wales, andwonder if it is true} I am glad youwrite me on a different day from Papa and Mamma fer now I get an extra letter from home. With much love J. (Julia M. Pease, '75,
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Title: Sawyer, Kitty. Letter, 1866
Creator: Sawyer, Kitty
Descriptor(s): Ditkoff, Andrea
Description: 1 letter from Sawyer to Belle Greene Sawyer. A short letter saying goodbye to Belle, who is going home while Kitty remains at Vassar.
Date: 1866

Title: Williams, Ellen -- to parents, Dec. 1865:
Creator: Williams, Ellen
Description: VC Spec 1865-1866
Date: December 17, 1865
Text: Dec. 17th, U&tT My Deer Parents. I do not intend to write you very much to night as I shall see you so soon I trust and it will be so much pleasanter to talk. I received Mothers welcome letter yesterday in which she desired me to let you know Just when we will be there. I can tell you now exactly I think. The College exercises will close Tuesday afternoon and vacation commence Wednesday. We expect to leave here Tuesday evening andgo as far as Newburg where we will remain all night and...
Show moreDec. 17th, U&tT My Deer Parents. I do not intend to write you very much to night as I shall see you so soon I trust and it will be so much pleasanter to talk. I received Mothers welcome letter yesterday in which she desired me to let you know Just when we will be there. I can tell you now exactly I think. The College exercises will close Tuesday afternoon and vacation commence Wednesday. We expect to leave here Tuesday evening andgo as far as Newburg where we will remain all night and take the train early Wednesday morning for Chester and so get home Wed. evening. And I wish you would see Mr. Dana and be sure that he does not go off and leave us at Owego as I should not at all like to stay there Wednesday night from any hurry of his. I think we shall get along all right for Prof. Farrar has telegraphed for rooms for us at Newburg. I have been up this evening to bid Hattie Mason good-bye as she is to go tomorrow morning at six o'clock. Emily and I got permission of Miss Lyman Friday to go to the city and make some calls. We rode down in the omnibus and called first at Mrs. Booths but she was not at home., then we went to Mrs Bartlett's. We had a very pleasant call. Mr. Bartlett saidhe had thought of coming out to call on us that afternoon & as we had said we were going to walk back he proposed accompanying us. We had a very pleasant walk and I did not get as tired as I expected. Mr Bartlett and perhaps Mollis will meet us Tues. eve. at the dpot. Mr Bartlett can not go with us now hut he thinks perhaps he will be in Ithaca before the Holiday's are over if the people of Trumansburg want him. He wanted to know if he came the last week of vacation if I would wait until Monday for his company. I did'ent say certainly but I rather think I gave him the impression I would if he would come. I don't know. We had a very pleasant time last evening, but I will tell you about that when I get home as well as about the concert we expect to have tomorrow eve. But when you receive this you can say that I will be home "tomorrow night," so I will say "good-night." I don't think there will be any fail about my being there Wednesday night In haste your loving daughter Ellen.
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Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mother, Father, and Pete, March 19,1921
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-03-19
Text: March 19, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Well, today is the big day. We had debate practice yesterday afternoon. I gave them a new stand all right--sob stuff until I could hardly keep a straight face. They were very glad I did, because they realized that they had never had any practice in answering it. They asked to have me give it this morning again. I have to hurry over there now. We had a meeting of alternates in my room from nine to ten-thirty last night. Peggy Bliss was here also,...
Show moreMarch 19, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Well, today is the big day. We had debate practice yesterday afternoon. I gave them a new stand all right--sob stuff until I could hardly keep a straight face. They were very glad I did, because they realized that they had never had any practice in answering it. They asked to have me give it this morning again. I have to hurry over there now. We had a meeting of alternates in my room from nine to ten-thirty last night. Peggy Bliss was here also, and lent her valuable assistance. I ate in Main with Lucy last night, principally to get a book at the Smith crowd. They had a table to themselves in Main. If unattractiveness and homeliness indicates brains, I guess they have won the debate already, without even going through with it. We have practice this morning, the tea for them later this afternoon, and debate dinner tonight. Did you know that the speakers get the intercollegiate Greek letter debating society keys, whatever they are called. We poor alternates don't. Wait till next year! I actually got some academic work done last night! Love, Fannie
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Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mother, Father, and Pete, Apr. 12.
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: Apr. 12.
Text: [Apr 12] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: We had debate practice from seven-thirty to ten last night. Miss Yost was there to criticize. Lucy spoke to fill out for the sixth-person. Clara Cheney got back last night. I don't know if she will debate or not. She thinks it would be a good thing for her, to occupy her mind. I should think she would need something to occupy it, all right. Her father is dead, and she has no brothers or sisters. It must be an awful feeling to be as aone[sic] in...
Show more[Apr 12] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: We had debate practice from seven-thirty to ten last night. Miss Yost was there to criticize. Lucy spoke to fill out for the sixth-person. Clara Cheney got back last night. I don't know if she will debate or not. She thinks it would be a good thing for her, to occupy her mind. I should think she would need something to occupy it, all right. Her father is dead, and she has no brothers or sisters. It must be an awful feeling to be as aone[sic] in the world as she it! It might interest you to know the followeing. It is all strictly confidential, because it was told to me confidentially by two members of the committee who should not have cracked it. We had a meeting eighth hour yesterday to discuss chairmen for next year for debate. As each possibility is discussed she had to leave the room, and if ever frank judment is passed on people it is done there. There is nothing that is not said about them, it seems to me. Well, I left, and thought, what a waste of time it was to discuss me. Well, the long and short of it is, that they were unanimous in thinking that I would make by fare the best chairman, but they were almost ananimous in agreeing that I was needed for a speaker, that I was the best speaker for next year and that they couldn't sacrifice that for the sake of a good chairman who is not necessarily a good debater. Minerva, particularly, urged them to let me be a speaker. They thought the college needed it! When one of them said that they needed me to step into Marian Chaill's place, I thought I would drop on the spot. I don't know which I would rather be. Debating is more fun and more spectacular, but chairman is a wonderful honor and lots of fun, too. But it is a tremendous responsibility and takes even more time than debating, I think. At any rate, I will be whatever they make me. It really makes me very happy to think of it. Jewish girls don't have honors like that thrown at them around here every day of the year. According to what they said, if I am not made chairman, it is because they think me indispansable to debating. You see, all the fine debaters agree graduating. Pete, for goodness' sake, don't waste part of our precious day Sunday by not coming up till morning. If you come that night, you will get a good night's rest and we can enjoy Sunday together. Campus is perfectly beautiful again. Spring certainly is a wonderful time of the year around here. Bernice Rosenbaum, your acquaintance Fritz's cousin, cameback after vacation with a new nose. She had the kink taken out in Cincinnati! That is the first sample of it I have seen. She certainly had some kink to take out. Did Evelyn Goldenson thank anyone for the hdkfs? TR. S. V. P. Fannie
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Title: [unknown], Hannah. Letter, 1866
Creator: [unknown], Hannah
Descriptor(s): Bielat, Isabel
Description: VC Class Year Unknown
1 letter, dated 18 Oct 1866, from “Hannah” to her brother. Hannah describes the arrangement of her room and corridor at Vassar College, rigorous music classes, the popularity of boating, and the fruit given to her by a classmate.

Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to sister, Feb. 1871:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: February 10, 1871
Text: J.M. Pease 10 Feb. 11- Feb. 10 1871 My dear Sister, I have just finished a letter to Papa and have nothing in the world to write you. After reading that sentence of course you will wonder what incites me to write. I do not know what does. Only I do not feel like doing anything tonight, and it is not yet time to go to bed. Why did you have your hair cut? If I were with you now I should give you a most terrible scolding and would do so by letter, only if my letter should not reach you safely...
Show moreJ.M. Pease 10 Feb. 11- Feb. 10 1871 My dear Sister, I have just finished a letter to Papa and have nothing in the world to write you. After reading that sentence of course you will wonder what incites me to write. I do not know what does. Only I do not feel like doing anything tonight, and it is not yet time to go to bed. Why did you have your hair cut? If I were with you now I should give you a most terrible scolding and would do so by letter, only if my letter should not reach you safely but fall into the hands of someone who does not know me. I mightacquire the reputation of a "scolder" and that would not be nice. Your hair looked so nicely curled and it could not have been a great deal [?] to put up three or four paper each night. Your song "Castles in the Air" is with my music. Also since the songs and some of the pieces of often played most. I'm (?) so sorry for they are of no use to me. If i had any way of doing so I would send them to you but cannot at present. I will copy the words and put them in the envelope with these (?). The bell has rung for nine o'clock and I am sleepy enough to go to bed now. A (?) ten before seven is early at this season of the year for breakfast.pity me for I have to breakfast at that unsuitable hour. My letter to Papa ends so abruptly it made me laugh out. I fear this was as badly. Lovingly, Julie
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Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Father and Mother, n.d. [postmarked November 8, 1919]
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1919-11-08]
Text: Dear Father + Mother, Nothing new since yesterday's letter. I have to chase for a [trench] book again Love, FannieMr. + Mrs. Marcus Aaron, 402 S. Winebiddle St. Pittsburgh, Pa.

Title: Aaron, Fannie -- to Mother, May 18,1920
Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 5/18/20
Text: May 18, 1920. Dear Mother, I would take a first prize at forgetting to write, and [mismanaging] time. I'll write a letter this evening. Love, FannieMrs. Marcus Aaron, 402 S. Winebiddle Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa.

Title: Warner, Martha S. -- to Will, Nov. 1866:
Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Description: VC 1868
Date: November 14, 1866
Text: Vassar Collage Nov. 14, 1866 Dear Will, Such a season of watching as we are having! I might better say they, for I have gone to bed in the most solemn manner every night at ten, and only wished that I was on the observatory roof, counting meteors. As we have not seen any shower it is only reasonable to conclude that you have shared the same sad fate - I have no faith in its appearing tonight, but from the wonderful beauty and frequency of those seen during the two proceeding nights, I have...
Show moreVassar Collage Nov. 14, 1866 Dear Will, Such a season of watching as we are having! I might better say they, for I have gone to bed in the most solemn manner every night at ten, and only wished that I was on the observatory roof, counting meteors. As we have not seen any shower it is only reasonable to conclude that you have shared the same sad fate - I have no faith in its appearing tonight, but from the wonderful beauty and frequency of those seen during the two proceeding nights, I have freely uttered my belief that Monday night we entered it, Teusday we wore in it, and last night was the closing up. But as I am not an astronomer my opinion is not considered oracular in the least. I shall not attempt to describe what they saw, since Hattie will consider that herpeculiar priviledge, and justly too, she having having been an eye witness of the wonders. Miss Lyman made arrangements to have the bells rung and the whole College aroused if the shower appeared, and when the rising bell rang yesterday morning there was a general stampede to the windows of sleepy girls, who fully believed that 'twas the middle of the night, and the shower had surely come. The Po'keepsee people have at last awakened to sense of their duties, and were so much in earnest about the shower that they were to have the bells rung. Did the Detroit people take any interest in it? Hattee had a letter from Father this morning. In which he said that when you wrote you would have a great many funny stories about the elections. Did you work much at them? Only think how soon you will be able to vote! I wish I could - The only election item that I have heard was that a man in Po'keepsie, the post master, felldead on the court house steps on election night. He had the heart desease, and the great joy he felt on hearing of the Republican victories proved to be his death. I am surprised that the Republicans make so few demonstrations over their triumph, although I suppose I am hardly in a position to judge of any one's rejoicings. The girls are quite enthusiastic just now over archery - It seems to me rather late in the year to think about such things, but if they enjoy it I have no objection - I think It will prove rather an expensive experiment, as most of the bows, for which they pay from three to four dollars, break at the slightest strain. I presume a third of the girls have broken theirs already - We are going to begin to practice gymnastics in a little while. I must say that I don't feel very anxious for the time to come - I shall practice between nine and ten every evening, for forty minutes. Our gymnasium is a beautiful room with a deafened floor.There is also a little gallery over the platform for spectators. The room is intended for light gymnastics only - they have made no arrangements for anything else. We are not prospering very finely with our lectures - Gough can't come, nor Holland, nor Cartiss - Manning is the only one who has returned a favorable answer. What is the most aggravating part of it, is, that the girls don't even get autograph letters from the big ones - Holland's reply was printed, saying that he gives no lectures this winter - Gough's was written by a secretary, saying that he is engaged every evening till the last of May - Isn't it provoking? I think it must be profitable business to lecture. When you are a man you had better try it - I believe that you would like chemistry Will - I should love to be a practical chemist, and try all manner of beautiful experiments - So Father is going to be gone this winter - Poor Mother! Ah Will! How good you must be! You may never have such another opportunity to show forth the good there is in you. Be sure and improve it. Write soon do. I delight in your letters as do we all. Love to every one. Your loving sister Mattie.When I said "the girls were enthusiastic in archery" I meant the girls in general not any of our room.
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Title: Houts, Annie -- to John Houts, Nov. 1868:
Creator: Houts (Glidden), Annie
Description: VC 1869
Date: November 08, 1868
Text: V.C. Nov. 8, 1868 My darling Brother, You have been much in my thoughts, today, and I must write you a few lines, or I can not call the day well over. I was made happy by the receipt of a letter from you the day before yesterday. I am glad you have become a member of the Young Men*s Association, of which you spoke, and I hope you will find it a means of much active labor, and a benefit to yourself, as I know you will. I have seen somewhere something to the effect that a free gift blesses the...
Show moreV.C. Nov. 8, 1868 My darling Brother, You have been much in my thoughts, today, and I must write you a few lines, or I can not call the day well over. I was made happy by the receipt of a letter from you the day before yesterday. I am glad you have become a member of the Young Men*s Association, of which you spoke, and I hope you will find it a means of much active labor, and a benefit to yourself, as I know you will. I have seen somewhere something to the effect that a free gift blesses the giver no less than the receiver. Its reflex influence is as great as its direct influence. I think the saying is certainly true whatever be the nature of the gift, be it money, time, labor or any-thing that it is in our power to give. Where are you now? You tell me you are quite pleasantly situated, but do not say where. I hope you will write to me often. A very short letter, if you have not time to write more, will cheer my heart wonderfully. You don't know how thankful and happy it makes me feel to know that you are keeping up, true and firm. Are you much alone, when not at the Office? What do you do with your time evenings? Whom have you for companions or friendd? I wonder what you are doing now. You must seek those whose friendship and companionship would strengthen and sustain you. I know there are many such, who will be ready to help and assist you, as well as those to lead you astray. It is time to go to prayer-meeting, and I must leave you for a few moments. Nov. 8, 1868 - 2 We have a Missionary Society In the College, meeting once a month; and have readings from magazines or any information in regard to missionary work. Tonight, a lady was here, who has just come from Syria and told us about her work. It is very interesting, but very sad to think of the degradation and ignorance of our fellow - c r ea tur e s. However, one need not go to Syria to find it. There is plenty of opportunity for missionary work in our own country. My life here is much the same from day to day, a very busy, happy life. I find I cannot go to work quite so vigorously as I did last year. I have to ease off, every once la a while. However, I did not expect to be equal to as much for the first part of this year, as I usually am and am getting along very well. X have many good, dear friends and after all, they are the very best gifts the world can give us. Xt is getting near my bed-time and I think I must say good-night. I will think of and pray for you at the time you spoke of. Think of me, and pray for me, brother, that I may live a pure Christian life, aad may be a worker for God. X am progressiag well la German, and am very fond of it. My room- mate says I do nothing but grin from the time I take up my German book, until X am through studying It. Write to me soon again. May the Lord bless and keep thee Is the earnest prayer of, Your loving sister, Annie. (Annie (Glidden) Houts, '69,
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Title: Pratt, Mary (Morris) -- to mother, Nov. 4, 1874
Creator: Pratt, Mary (Morris)
Description: VC 1880
Date: November 4, 1874
Text: Vassar College Nov. 4, 1874. My dear Mithery- Oo you see that little blur over "Vassar"? Well that's where I began to write "New Haven". Think of it.' I'll have to just put that off for a while I'm thinking. W e had the best fun last night. I must tell you about it for I haven't had such a right up and down jolly time before since I have been here. Mamie Burch, at the table on Friday night proposed that on the nextnight we should go down into the...
Show moreVassar College Nov. 4, 1874. My dear Mithery- Oo you see that little blur over "Vassar"? Well that's where I began to write "New Haven". Think of it.' I'll have to just put that off for a while I'm thinking. W e had the best fun last night. I must tell you about it for I haven't had such a right up and down jolly time before since I have been here. Mamie Burch, at the table on Friday night proposed that on the nextnight we should go down into the kitchen and make candy. The crowd was to consist of the people in our parlor, the girls next door, i.e. Kittle Hawley, Lilian Taylor, Nell Withey, & Kittle Aldrich, and the girls in 26 Nannie Sharpi, Julia & Katie Hopson, Mamie Burch, and Emily Jordan. We obtained permission very easily & arrayed ourselves in our Gym-suits before dinner, as we had to go to the kitchen as soon as we were out of the dining-hall to put the candy over and stir it until Chapel time. Jane was the only one of the crowd who didn't wear her gym- suit. We were in the room next to the one where they frybuck wheat cakes and had a stove about 20 ft x 4 ft, red hot in several places and with a great inverted trough over it so that the heat was all kept right down over it. I never saw anything so hot as it was standing over that stove & stirring the candy. Until the girls had become hardened to the heat they could only stir three or four minutes at a time. We had a copper saucepan, holing four or five gallons, & put one gallon of molasses in it. After it had been boiling a while, al at once it began to rise like everything. It was so heavy that we couldn't lift it off fromthe stove, so we stirred as hard as we could while Mamie Burch flew off down one of the corridors to try to find some of the cooks. She came back just in time, with a graceful going Irishman who gallantly swung the kettle off from the stove until the molasses settled a little. Presently when I was stirring it up again, it again started to the top. Jane was standing by me so I asked her to pull the kettle to the edge of the stove. We had just conquered the rebellious liquid when "David" who had heard the disturbance came flying to our assistance. We grated nearlya package of chocolate It then left everything in his care while we went to chapel. After Chapel we hurried down again & had all the time from 8.45 to 9.15. The candy wasn't nearly done because I suppose "David" was so afraid it would burn that he either held it on the edge of the stove or else set it on the window-sill maybe. We soon got the caramels going, & then stirred, or else cooled off preparatory to stirring. While cooling off I had two waltzes around the stoves & potatoes & charcoal & promiscuous articles. When the molasses was unanimously pronounced to be done— and we had no end of a row deciding-— it waspoured into two immense pans & put out of doors. Jane said she had to warn a man not to step into it. After a while, when we were all waiting for something to do we heard a horrible howl way down the corridor & a great rushing sound. In a minute Jane came tearing in, wearing a wild kind of a look, a shrieking at the top of her voice. In her hands she had a lump of candy about as big as a cocoanut. She had scraped up all there was in one pan & started with it, but as she had to come quite a distance the out side coolness wore offand it got to be scalding hot. So she tore around tossing it from one hand to another and not stopping long enough to explain or let anyone help her. When the lump finally cooled we divided it & began to pull & soon were pretty busy. I got my piece real white but made two blisters, one on each thumb, & to day have one of them doctored up with a piece of courtplaster nearly 3/4 of an inch square. After the caramels & things were done we gather together & sang college songs, danced the Virginia reel & carried on generally.We started off at silent time & marched all thirteen in solemn single file procession, keeping beautiful step, up the center stairs & the length of the 2nd South each maiden bearing a big plate of candy in her outstretched hand. It isnt all gone yet--The candy we burnt is left---. There are four people in here all talking & telling stories & I cant either write or spell or anything so I'm going to stop. Give lots of love to every one and do write soon and often. Mary B. Morris.VASSAR COLLEGE The name of Miss Mary S. Morris is entered on the list of applicants for admission to the College.  The regular days for entrance examinations are September 22-24, 1875. Full information respecting conditions of admission, the order of examinations, courses of study, terms of payment, &c., will be found in the College Catalogue, which may be had at any time on application to W. L. Dean, Registrar. Candidates for admission are particularly requested to notice the order of the examiniations, on pae 30 of the Catalogue, and to present themselves punctualy at 9, A.M. The College will open each day at half past eight o'clock -- not before -- for the reception of the candidates.  the examinations will commence promptly at 9, A.M., and continue till 5, P.M., with an intermissio of one hour and a half at noon.  Mid-day luncheon will be provided for the candidates and their friends. To all who come from a distance it is earnestly recommended that they arrange to pass the preceding night in Poughkeepsie or its vicinity.  The examinations are necessariy fatiguing, and a student cannot possibly do herself justice who comes to them wearied from a long journey. POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., April 21, 1875 JOHN H. RAYMOND, President We shall be happy to receive Miss Morris for examiniation in September.  there are no entrance examiniations in June.  J.H.R., per M.D.
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