I have been expecting to receive a letter from you, for a long
time, but it appears that I was destined to be disappointed.
But we are taught to bear-up with
disappointments, and not to be repressed by the failure of our expectations;
yet I can hardly forgive you for neglecting, to inform me of the health and
conditions of those most dear to me. for
But I am persuaded, as soon as this reaches you, you will give me that
information so heartily desired.
But what shall I say of myself, my health, and my pursuits? You know
that young persons bestow very little solicitation or reflection on their own
health, having, as
they think, before them almost
unnumbered years, and reflecting not, on the fleetness of moments; so if I
should not, at any time during the course of our correspondence, mention the
state of my health, be assured that I am free from all afflictions of pain and
disease. The time I have been absent from you, I hope I have not passed
unprofitably, or without its' being in future a benefit at least to myself; it
would almost be the hight of criminality, to look on with indifference, and
without any exertions on our parts, the preparations that are made here, for
our advancement in learning, and personal
Page 2
accomodation. No doubt you have seen in the report of the
Executive Committee, a stattement of the various
improvements which are going-on here for our convenience and comfort, Some of
those statements are evidently erroneous, to be sure, the buildings are
undergoing reparation, but the workmen, to use a figurative but common
expression, move like snails; judging from their progress I should think it
will be many years before they finish. But the misrepresentation of the
Committee is more glaring in their statement of
the expenses, which they put down at one hundred & twenty five dollars; now
if board at eleven dollars per month for five months and a half, tuition thirty
one, bed & washing ten, fuel and candles sixteen, servant hire two Literary
ten, sometimes more, Stationary, travelling expenses, and pocket money make one
hundred & twenty five, then they are right;
2 by
the by, I had to stay in
Raleigh
ten days when I came up, you know what I would have you infer from this, by
what I have previously said. My dear
Sister
, this page is intended for the eye of my
Father, unwilling do I trouble you with these things.
3
Mention to my
Father that I would be very glad to receive some money for
to pay my commencement and other little expenses reluctantly do I ask this
favour, & would not do it, but it is unavoidable
Page 3
necessity. I hope to be with you soon Give my love to my parents &
relations, and write immediately. I should like to take a trip to the Pilate
mountains
4 this
summer, but I cannot ask two favours in one letter.
I would write more but time presses.