I had so much to do yesterday that I have'nt half my lessons aad dread to morrow fearfully.

Nov. 15. 1874.

My dear Mother,

There is no lack of news this week, the only trouble is where to begin: I guess I will tell you first of the union Philalethean meeting in the new hall last Friday night. I had three invitations and how I did wish to dispose of the extra two as I wanted to we went over to the hall at half past seven: It has now all the appliances of a regular theater, footlights, scenery, &c. and is much larger, better ventilated and lighted than the old one. It wont be worth while to tell you of the entertainment because I will send you the programme. The part of Ophelia was taken by a very smart girl and was acted perfectly. I am ashamed to say not having read Hamlet I did not know she was crazy and [crossed out: she] as soon as she came on the stage I looked at her utterly expressionless face, and said to my self "why she looks like a loon." which was an unintentional compliment.As for the rest, it was all good. Romeo & Juliet was lovely, only when the former jumped over the wall he leaned on it for support at which It trembled in an alarming manner and threatened to tumble over all to gether, but every thing else went off swimmingly. It seems a pity that instead of having nothing but farces in our Dramatic we can not have something occasionally of a little higher order, if not Shakespeare, for what a parcel of girls can do it seems our whole Dramatic might at least attempt.

On Friday night a perceptible shudder ran ever the Freshman class when it was told to remain a few moments after Chapel: It was'nt quite so bad as it might be. ^we were to hand in a perfectly written business letter the next day at five, and in two weeks a letter of friendship to be criticised as a literary production. I wrote to A. G. Stewart for my first and^as fortunately I had preserved the one which had been corrected last year I hope it was not very bad. any way I used six sheets of paper before it suited me. of course the other will be wrestled with next Sat. and will probably take me the whole day: if you can suggest anything to me to write of do, for mercy's sake. Now I have a new page to tell you about the Sophomore party given to as Freshmen, each Sophomore asks a freshman or at least usually and as Ella Webb asked me first I went with her. We went almost directly after Chapel for we are never allowed to stay up any later except on Founders ^or [crossed out: of] Phil— night. all the Sophomores were dressed in black silk and we In our best attire. I wore my lavender silk and tea rose buds and we all wore gloves just as at a regular party: it would have taken the conceit out any young man to see how nicely we got on ^without his sex and how much we enjoyed ourselves, upon entering the Gym. we were each presented with an order for dancing and were then introduced to the Pres. of the class: we walked around for a few minutes looking at the room which was hung with wreaths of evergreen from the ceiling and with baskets of flowers, then we commenced to dance and [crossed out: when] about half past eight went up stairs to a [crossed out: the] long hall where on each side there were little tables just big enough for two covered with napkins, we had sandwiches, coffee cake and Icecream which tasted delightfully to me as I had had no supper. we were waited upon by some of the girls, dressed short dresses and little muslin caps which were very bewitching as Evie says, before we got up from the tables each F. was presented with a little bouquet and then we danced until it was time to go home, we had just a delightful time altogether only the trouble was it was too short and I should think would hardly repay the girls for the trouble. I [crossed out:fot] forgot to say that our motto in evergreens was placed at one end of the room, the fun of It was that the girls who have not studied German couldnt tell whether it was our motto or their own^which is Greek.

The new Miscellany came yesterday and as soon as I can buy one I will send it. one of the teachers told me she did not think it was as good as usual. Miss Smythe told me the other day that I must get a handglass for singing which has almost broken me so I must ask to send me a little money if convenient.

You need not make any change in the presents I have thought of something else lor Evie, which I know she wants. I have come to the end of my paper & news.
Your loving daughter Mary.

I enjoyed your letter and Lizzie's very much, and will write to Liz during the week.

"They say that the "78" galop I dont know wehther it is true or not aad did not hear it as I was then at supper.