Vassar College, Jan. 17/69*
Dear John,
Your letter of Jan. 11th was very welcome
indeed* being the first tidings from Portsmouth which X have had for some
time. You have probably ere this received my letter written since my
return and know of my manner of spending the holidays. I have not heard
from Carlos for some time. X am sure I hope Kate is recovering her mental
powers, for there can be nothing worse it seems to me than the loss of one's
mind. We have had such glorious weather here, the past week, clear and
cold. There was first a storm of snow or rather rain and sleet, which
covered all the trees and twigs with icej then came the clear, sun shiny
days, making the world a perfect blaze of crystals. My chum keeps hsr
own horse and sleigh, and takes me out riding with her very often. I don't
think I shall ever forget a ride we took on one of those crystal days. The
road we toofc was lined on either side with trees, which glittered and flashed
In every imaginable color, the snow looked like diamond-dust, and the sky
was of the most beautiful blue one can conceive. It was, as our German
teacher says, "wund ,f. By the way, I want you to revive your know-
ledge of German, so that we can read something together. I think I never had
a study that I enjoyed so much. We have just begun translating Schiller's
William Tell. Last evening we had a social meeting of our class, which was
very pleasant, indeed. The meeting was in the Society, which was very
prettily decorated and looked home like and pleasant. We had music and
Jan. 17, 1869 -2
dancing, and a gypsey who told all of our fortunes. Altogether, the evening
was very pleasantly passed.
I shall be glad to have you write me from some work of merit, as you
spoke of am certain it will be profitable to us both. Did you evar read
Robertson*s Life or Sermons ? I am just reading his life, now, which is
very interesting indeed. He was an English minister, a most devoted pure
man and his sermons are splendid, so powerful intellectually and filled with
so much real Christian heartiness and love. Curtiss is going to lecture in
Po'keepsie, one week from next Friday, and I think Z shall make an effort
to hear him. On the same evening, our Miss Mitchell lectures before the
Society, and unless that is changed I shall be loyal to the home-Interests and
go to hear her. I doubt not X shall be quite as much entertained and instructed,
for Miss Mitchell knows a great deal, and knows how to tell it; but X have
heard so much of the M silver-tongued'• Cur tics, that X am very desirous of
hearing him.
X am truly glad to learn that George is so well; X hope he will out-grow
his troubles, and be a healthy man, yet. X hear that Col. Moore is going to
move away from Portsmouth, and also the Robinsons and Riggses. If so that
will take away quite a number of the prominent people there. I am quite in
doubt as to my studies for the coming term. X suppose however they will be
German, Moral Philosophy, fc Kame's Elements of Criticism. Of the first
two X am certain, but do not incline strongly to the latter, because all my
Jan. 17, 1869 -3
friends of last year's class disliked it so much. It is the study for that
term however, so I suppose I must take it. I hope you will write soon
again; your letters are most gladly received. Invoking God's blessing upon
you, I remain.
Your loving sister,
Annie M. Glidden.
{Annie (Glidden) Houts, '69,