Poughkeepsie
December 10th 1867
My dear Miss Stilson.
Your8, of the 6th current with " Hill Top " Institute
enclosed is received, and were happy to hear from you
once again, and have perused over your letter with much
pleasure, altho' you mentiond it was written under
pressure of many heavy demands on your time, yet I did
not discover it by its autography or Composition but
contrawise, both had improved.
Your reminiscences of the pleasure8 you enjoyed at
the little festival entertainment afforded at Springside
last summer were fully ballanced & reciprocated by
me on that occasion, by meeting so many of the Young
Ladies of the CollegeI have again and again, of
late participated & enjoyed those pleasent season8
First on the last Thanksgiving day, I dined at the Col-
lege, & in the Evening had a social gathering in the
Parlorson the 3d. Dec the Annual Festival of the
Philalethian Society came off, then on the 6th (Friday
Evening) we held a sociable Entertainment at my
Domicil (city Residence) of the Faculty, Professors,
& Lady Teachers, of " Vassar ", with several of the
Trustees & Executive Committee, numbering over a
hundred Guests, with a choice N. Y. City Band of
Music. At 11. Ock. we all partook of a fine supper
got up by the Celebrated Caterers " Smith Brothers "
of this City. This was the first Invitation ever extended
to the College Faculty & Lady Teachers, since its or-
ganization & I think was highly appreciated and will
be long rememberedMiss Lyman was absent having
recently lost her Sister, in Philadelphia
We have lately had several distinguish Lecturers
at our College among them Revd. Newman Hall of
England, Wendell Phillips, Vincent & others.
The weather is now very cold and we have fine skat-
ing at College Lake, a little snow but no sleighing.
I remain Dear Miss Stilson
truly Yours &c
M.. Vassar.
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