Vassar College.
Sat. night. ,1870,

My dear sister,

As many letters as I have written you since I have been here, I hardly think you know anything about the College, but there is time enough to write you of it during the whole year. However you ought to know something of the teachers. Of course you know that the President's name is Raymond. He is over fifty I should judge and very pleasant and good, and the students do not feel at all afraid of him. The only scolding he has had to give us since school commenced this fall was
about "flirting," that is "handkerchief flirting." There are several
gentlemen's colleges in Poughkeepsle and occaslonly the students come
up here and drive through the grounds, and on such occasions there is
sure to be a great display of linen. The Pres. says that this is the second
time since the College was founded that he has had to speak to the students
on the subject, which is speaking pretty well for Vassar girls, 1 think.
There are some terrible flirts here this year but they have very little
chance to try their powers upon any one. The only young lady who was
ever expelled from the college was sent away for attempting to go out
riding with a gentleman. Such a thing is strictly against the rules of the
school
But Miss Lyman is the horror of the whole school. Only to speak her
name will make almost every girl shake, and to be sent for by her is a
much more terrible thing than to be sent for to Mr. Crosby's study at
Sat. night |1870, -
the Sem. Hardly any girl ever cornea from her without having shed a
goodly amount ol tears and alter she has caused them to be shed she
generally kisses the girl which to me would be the worst part. I have
never been called to her but once and then through no lault ol mine. There
had been a "comb concert" on our corridor and they thought that our part
had taken part In the performance although we had had nothing to do with
it. As soon as she found that out she dismissed us, but not until she had
delivered part ol her lecture* and I can tell you it was indeed learlul.
Another time I went to see her ol my own accord and she was perlectly
lovely, no one could have been kinder to me than she was. But in spite ol
that it would make me shiver 11 she were to send lor me. Miss Lyman
however is In very poor health and I presume that makes her Iretlul and
cross. She is dying ol the consumption and I think we ought to excuse
almost any thing Irom her on that account, and besides she has worn her-
sell out working lor this College. The only gentlemen that teach in the
college are Prols. Farrall ,Farrar? F Hlnckle, Backus and Van Ingen.
Each one has a particular department which he overlooks. Then there
are any amount ol lady teachers, almost all very nice there are eight cor-
ridors and each one has a teacher to see that the students In that corridor
behave themselves. Ours is Miss Smiley. I like her very much but many
ol the girls think that she is sneaking, perhaps she is a little so, but our
corridor has the most wild girls on it being nearly all new scholars. We
can always tell an old scholar by her looks and actions. They are so much
more dignified and sedate. Prof. Backus, the Prof, of English Literature
is thought very nice indeed, by every one. He is young and very "funny".
He is married as no Prof's are admitted here unless they are. He looks
to me like Frank Hamilton, only not quite as "foppish," although consider*
ably so, but he Is very tall and quite handsome and very smart. Did you
ever Invite Ida Whitman to spend a winter In Texas. You must have done
so but the Invitation Z expect made more impression upon her than us, as
we did not suppose she would think of coming* You know she has an Uncle,
an organist I think, living in Brooklyn. His daughter is here at school, a
Miss Layton and a vary nice girl. I had heard some time ago that she was
a cousin of Ida's and yesterday I was speaking of Ida with her. She had
heard of us, as Ida had told her that she had been invited to spend a winter
in Texas, and she was very anxious to go, but hardly thought she could.
Mamma has made over your green striped skirt for mo and it looks very
nicely. You must have her get you something else, for I only took it on
that condition. As you had worn it two years In Texas she thought It would
be better for you to have something new. She has also made me a wrapper
which I like very much Indeed. How are you making your black alpaca?
You never were fond of dressmaking and If you are trying to make it by
yourself must have a hard time. I was so glad to hear all about your trip
with Grandma to Buffalo. Da you suppose she would like to have me write
to her? If she would like me to I will da so. I commenced this last night
but could not finish before bod time, and again this morning but was
interrupted by visiters who stayed until time lor Bible Class and now
when I have time to write I caa not think ol anything mere that I was
intending to say, but it is just as well lor I have filled eight pages.
Excuse this being crossed but my psper is getting low, and I am very
saving of that article. I was very anxious before your last letter came.
Can you not find time to write me a few line* every week? I was so
much obliged for your last long letter. Love to all and much for your-
self from, Julie-
(Julia M. Pease, '75,