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Edited Text
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Mon. Dec. 23, 1867.
My dear Cousin Mary,
Your kind letter reached me in this faraway place and met with a cordial reception. I am glad that you had so safe and pleasant a journey though I regret that we could not have had the pleasure of a second visit from you. I left home on the 16th of Sept. accompanied
by Father and Mother, who left me on the 20th greatly pleased with the College. We are now having vacation and out of over four hundred girls, only thirty are left. But we enjoy ourselves very much; every
effort is made to render it as homelike as possible. Miss Lyman the Lady Principal is exceedingly kind and has had a piano moved down into a large recitation room on the first floor where we have a dance every evening. During the day we sew, read and walk. Christmas passed very delightfully, contrary to our anticipations, for we feared that this most blest festival in all the year would be dreary enough in a deserted boarding school. In the morning we attended Christ Church in the City heard fine music and were enraptured by the service and decorations. At 2 o'clock we had a very stylish and elaborate dinner at which only Miss Lyman, Miss Avery, the resident physician, and we
students were present. In order to make it as cheerful as possible,
it was arranged that we should have our tea in the parlor, and invite Mr Vassar, the Founder, and the Faculty. Accordingly we decorated the
rooms with pictures and flowers and assembled at 7 o'clock when we had refreshments. Later we joined in many amusing games and the President acted like a boy just let loose from school. Last eve. Prof. Robert played some of Beethoven's sonatas for us, and thus the time passes. We do not lack for pastimes, and they do not wish us to study at all, but enjoy perfect rest. Our labors will begin again on Jan. 5. I like everything about the College. -the plan of study is delightful and all the teachers are thorough and amiable. Last year there were some Cal.
girls here, and this year there are several from Sandusky Ohio. On Monday I received a splendid box from home containing nice presents
from all of them. The pleasure which one feels on being often
remembered by the home friends, is, I think, unequalled by any thing else in the world. It is hard for me to be so far away, even though it be for one year only and the advantages so superior. I often think if dear Myra was only with me I should be perfectly happy. I have very agreeable parlor-mates, and though I came a stranger among strangers,
I have already many pleasant acquaintances. Frequent letters from home cheer me and there is no end to Pa's kindness in sending me boxes, etc. Once he sent me a barrel of choice apples from our Island
orchard. - We have very good fare, nice, clean rooms and all the girls look as plump and rosy as German peasants. I send you a catalogue as I find myself unequal to the duty of telling you all about the College
which is an institution of great magnitude. Mother is improving slowly and we hope, surely.
With love for each of your family, plenty of kisses for
Ada,
I remain
Your aff. Cousin,
Mary T. T.
Written by Mary Treat Teegarden, La Porte, Ind. to Mrs. Mary A. Starr, Marysville, Calif.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Mon. Dec. 23, 1867.
My dear Cousin Mary,
Your kind letter reached me in this faraway place and met with a cordial reception. I am glad that you had so safe and pleasant a journey though I regret that we could not have had the pleasure of a second visit from you. I left home on the 16th of Sept. accompanied
by Father and Mother, who left me on the 20th greatly pleased with the College. We are now having vacation and out of over four hundred girls, only thirty are left. But we enjoy ourselves very much; every
effort is made to render it as homelike as possible. Miss Lyman the Lady Principal is exceedingly kind and has had a piano moved down into a large recitation room on the first floor where we have a dance every evening. During the day we sew, read and walk. Christmas passed very delightfully, contrary to our anticipations, for we feared that this most blest festival in all the year would be dreary enough in a deserted boarding school. In the morning we attended Christ Church in the City heard fine music and were enraptured by the service and decorations. At 2 o'clock we had a very stylish and elaborate dinner at which only Miss Lyman, Miss Avery, the resident physician, and we
students were present. In order to make it as cheerful as possible,
it was arranged that we should have our tea in the parlor, and invite Mr Vassar, the Founder, and the Faculty. Accordingly we decorated the
rooms with pictures and flowers and assembled at 7 o'clock when we had refreshments. Later we joined in many amusing games and the President acted like a boy just let loose from school. Last eve. Prof. Robert played some of Beethoven's sonatas for us, and thus the time passes. We do not lack for pastimes, and they do not wish us to study at all, but enjoy perfect rest. Our labors will begin again on Jan. 5. I like everything about the College. -the plan of study is delightful and all the teachers are thorough and amiable. Last year there were some Cal.
girls here, and this year there are several from Sandusky Ohio. On Monday I received a splendid box from home containing nice presents
from all of them. The pleasure which one feels on being often
remembered by the home friends, is, I think, unequalled by any thing else in the world. It is hard for me to be so far away, even though it be for one year only and the advantages so superior. I often think if dear Myra was only with me I should be perfectly happy. I have very agreeable parlor-mates, and though I came a stranger among strangers,
I have already many pleasant acquaintances. Frequent letters from home cheer me and there is no end to Pa's kindness in sending me boxes, etc. Once he sent me a barrel of choice apples from our Island
orchard. - We have very good fare, nice, clean rooms and all the girls look as plump and rosy as German peasants. I send you a catalogue as I find myself unequal to the duty of telling you all about the College
which is an institution of great magnitude. Mother is improving slowly and we hope, surely.
With love for each of your family, plenty of kisses for
Ada,
I remain
Your aff. Cousin,
Mary T. T.
Written by Mary Treat Teegarden, La Porte, Ind. to Mrs. Mary A. Starr, Marysville, Calif.
