Vassar College Digital Library
jhhorn
Edited Text
(On a State of New York, Senate Chamber, letterhead)
Albany, Feb. 4th 1866
My Dear Parents.
Mary has supplied me with this sheet of paper and
I am going to write you a few lines that you may not be disappointed by not receiving your regular letter from me. I should think you would be surprised to receive this letter from Albany did I not know that Mr Cornell is in Ithaca and that he has probably e'er this told you that Mary and I are to be here to-day. We left the College last Friday at five o'clock and Mr H. Cornell met us on the other side of the river so that we got along very nicely. It was quite a surprise to me, my coming. Mary came down Thursday noon, into my room and wished me to go - I thought at first I could not on account of writing my debate, but at last decided that I would try to do that together with my lessons Thursday. I had to work pretty hard on my debate but I succeeded in nearly finishing it I think I can find time for the remainder during the week. It has been delightful weather here for some time past and it has of course added to our enjoyment yesterday and to-day Eva Schuyler called on us yesterday morning and her Father in the evening - They say Eva is very gay. We visited the Captol yesterday and the Agricultural rooms, I think they were, which last were very interesting to me as there was so much connected with my Geology & Zoology. We also took two quite long walks which gave me a chance to see quite a good deal of the city. This morning I went to church withMrs A.B. & Mrs E. Cornell Mary did not feel well enough to go.
I enjoyed being in church again very much I assure you. They have a very pleasant place here on the corner across from where the Govenor lives so that I have seen besides that great personage Mrs Fenton's daughter. I do wish you could be here then I should enjoy myself, for I think Albany a very pleasant place and though I have had a very pleasant time I will own that I shall not be sorry to go back to the College again. It makes me so homesick to be here. I know you will laugh at me for saying it but I have not felt so badly for weeks as I have since I have been here. I am almost afraid it is wrong but I cannot help it and I don't think I have shown it at all, of course I would not for anything, but the ride on the cari, Mary's exclamations of delight that she had "got home" all together made me wish I had never left the College if I could not go clear home or at least see my parents. Well you must excuse me I forgot how much I was writing that will not Interest you, but it will serve to show you a little of how much I think of you and how much I want to see you. I received Mother's letter Friday noon before I left - I was so glad for I had been afraid it would not come until Saturday and then I should have to wait until Monday before I could have it. Father* was not written feeling very well when it was written I hope he has entirely recovered by this time. He must take my last two letters as answers to his and write me as soon as he has time. I enjoy his letters so much. No slight to Mothers which ol course are always interesting. How sad Mrs. Tolfree's death was - What will Sarah & Charlie do? Is Mr Tolfree still in Ithaca? — I am so much interested with aU you can write me about the house it almost makes me wish to be at home when you talk about arranging the plans. How nice it will be when I come home to have it all arranged. I told the girls I supposed I should hardly know the place. Do have as many as possible of the sham windows cut through. When you have to vacate the house will it not be a good time to come & make me a visit I do want so much to see you this Spring. Are you going to send me the money for the next half year which I suppose will have to paid soon? I think I shall have to have a little more for I shall not have very much left when I get back to the College and I should like to keep a little on hand of course for little things. Mary wrote to Julie yesterday and told her she thought she had better come to Vassar anyway for she had no doubt but that she could get in. I added a few lines to the same effect. I shall be very much disappointed if she cannot come. I did not get your letter in time to see Dr. Raymond or I should have done so. I suppose from Julie's letter that her Mother had received an answer to her letter. I think of nothing more at present to say & as I have filled my sheet it must be time I closed. Remember me to all my friends &
write soon.

From your loving daughter
Ellen