Vassar College Digital Library

Williams, Ellen | to parents, Nov. 1865:

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Date
November 25, 1865
Abstract
VC Spec 1865-1866
Note

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Identifier
vassar:25277,,Box 22,VCL_Letters_Williams_Ellen_1865-1866_015
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1 item
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: VCLLettersWilliamsEllen18651866015001
Vassar College
Po 'keepsie Nov. 25th 1865

My Dear Parents,
Dont be frightened at receiving a letter from me a little sooner than usual I wished to write sooner but have not had time. I have a very important request to make and I want an answer as soon as possible. I want to give up German. Perhaps you will say that is not an important as you expected but it is of some importance. I am afraid you will not like it but I have considered the "pros. & cons." and I really think it best. I have come to the conclusion with you that I have a little to much to do and if it would

 


: VCLLettersWilliamsEllen18651866015002
make enough difference I would willingly give up my Drawing but I do not spend but a little over an hour a day on it and that time is as much recreation as as any time I have. I do not like me. very much as a teacher and there are quite a good many in the class who have studied German before, as there are only two classes, and they put me. up to giving longer lessons than I have time to get perfectly and the consequence is that I feel perfectly discouraged every day in the class. Then besides I have such excellent advantages in Geology and Zoology and Prof. Tenney teaches in such a way that you can learn just as much or just as little as you want to, in fact that is the way the teach in all the classes nearly here. I want time to go into the library and study up

 


: VCLLettersWilliamsEllen18651866015003
all the points which Prof. Tenney brings up in the class and leaves "for us to inform ourselves about if we wish. Then I am so much interested in my
Rhetoric and Prof. Buckum brings up so many points which I should love so
dearly to study up and read about and now I do not have time I like German
very much or at least think I should if I had a teacher 1 liked but I think
the advantages are better in the other^ studies and I could improve myself
more by giving up more of my time to them for I shall never have such
advantages in those branches I know and I am sure I could get as good
advantages in German anywhere. Besides my French is getting very interesting now and I dont want to have any cause for slighting that. I like my teacher in that very much now and I think from all 1 can Judge her pronunciation

 


: VCLLettersWilliamsEllen18651866015004
and accent is very good. However I leave this subject open for your opinion or decision and I wish you would write me as soon as possible. I shall try to keep on with all until I hear from you. I do not think my time has been lost by any means thus far In it. I think if you were here you would see this in the light I do. Mr Mann was here yesterday and I was of course delighted to see him. He was with Mr. Kessar and they stayed to dinner. He will probably tell you all about it. I praised up Vassar to the skies of course and he said he was going home to tell Mother she ought to let me stay 4 or 5 years but dont think £ put him up to it. The weather has been a little colder for a few days past and the Catskill have looked beautiful from here. We can Just see them in the distance and the tops are covered with snow so when the sun shines they look beautifully. I am counting the days now until I shall be with you again, the only trouble Mary will persist in reminding me almost always when I speak of it of the time when we come back again. I dont want to think of that. I cannot write more now as I have so many other letters I want to answer

 


: VCLLettersWilliamsEllen18651866015005
I have not had hardly any letters this week as I did not write any last Sat. I am going to try & write to Auntie Kate, etc. Please write soon.
You have been very good about writing this week I believe. Give my love
to all enquiring friends and believe me ever your affectionate and loving
Ellen. Mary Cornell bought her a hat in Po'keepsie a few days ago for fifteen dollars. Quite pretty.