Poughkeepsie OctF. 28^ 1865
My dear Mrss. Hale
It was only last evening your name was alluded to in
r
a conversation with two of your citizens at my domicil, Doct... Malcom
and Doct Hans ell Baptist Clergymen who came to Pofkeepsie to see our Col-
lege and its workings &c. I went out with them yesterday Dining with the
Presl. Miss Lyman LadyPrincipal and some 3 to 400 young Lady pupils
the exact number now in the College I thin is 380 and a more intelligent
gathering of young Misses cannot be found in any Country----
I visit the College almost daily (except Rainy days &.Sundayf) on the
in 5 years
latter I have never seen the grounds or buildings untill last Sabbath three
weeks ago, when I attended the first Religious Services in the Chapel & a
more interesting and impressive service I never attended in my life-
Mrs. Hale I do wish you had been present but I suppose I must deny myself
the pleasure of seeing you in Po, until after the change of the College Title
which will certainly be accomplished next Winter-----
I shall be much pleased to see your forth-coming article in the
JanY. No of the Lady1 Book on "Domestic Economy" I am resolved to
intriduce practically that science of Instruction in "Vassar College11 as
soon as possible-- We are now erecting an extensive Building for Gym-
nastic Exercises-, Riding School, &c-, costing some $40,000-----Thus far
every thing goes on well, but we find our terms of Tuition & Board too low
for the inflated prices of Living when the war closed we thought values of
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Oct. 28, 1865 - 2
home productions would materialy decline, but in this we have been
disappointed & shall be oblig to advance our terms after the first half
year. Some familys are availing themselves of our Cheap Board &c
without any special reference to the Educational charges.
Since writing the foregoing I am reminded of an article which
appeared in several public Journals last July written by some gentleman
visitor to the College from which a few copies was struck off here, I
enclose you one of them-- I will send you in a few days the particulars
of the Profesships &c, I have mailed to yF address tp-day two Copies
of our last "Prospectus"-----1 have found another article of later date
about our College - I endbse it &c----- I remain Dear Mrs Hale
Yours verry truly &c
M, Vassar
P.S. May I not ask you to make a reference in your
forth coming JanY article to the low terms of our College for tuition &
Board - particular the latter, and the contemplated advance the next
College term-- MV
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