I have few correspondents and consequently write few letters. My
health at present is very good very well situated & have every opportunity
both of reading, and learning the course of Studies prescribed in College. we
have in our library about three thousand five hundred volumes.
3
Historys, Novels Biographys &c. &c. I am very desirous to remain here
next vacation for the purpose of reading.–
I must now say a word or two in regard to the ordinary routine of
daily life at College. Very early in the morning the observer may
see lights at a few of the windows of the
buildings inhabited by the students. They mark the rooms occupied by the more
industrious or more resolute, who rise and
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devote
an hour or two to their books by candle light on the winter mornings. About day
the bell awakens the multitude of sleepers in all the rooms, and in a short
time they are to be seen issuing from the various doors with sleepy looks and a
few with books under their arms to attempt to make up as well as the faint but
increasing light will ennable them, for the
time wasted in idleness or dissipation
on the on the evening before. the first
who come down go slowly, others with quicker and quicker step as the tolling of
the bell proceeds; and the last few stragglers run with all speed to answer to
their respective names. One of the Professors reads a portion of
Scripture
by the
mingled light of the reddening beams which comes in from the eastern sky. He
then offers the morning prayer. The hundreds of young men before him exhibit
the appearance of respectful attention. when prayers are over, the several
classes repair immediately to the rooms assigned to them, and recite the first
lesson of the day. During the short period which elapses between
the recitation and the breakfast bell College
is a busy scene. parties are running up and down the stairs
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two steps at a time with the ardour and activity
of youth. And now and then a fresh crowd is seen issuing from the door of some
one of the buildings where a class has finished its recitation and comes forth
to disperse to their rooms;– The breakfast bell brings out the whole throng
again and gathers them around the long tables in the
Steward,s Hall or else scatters them among the private families
of the
Village.– An
hour after breakfast the bell rings to mark the commencement of study hours;
when the students are required by College laws to repair to their respective
rooms, which answer the 3fold purpose of parlour bedroom and stud[y to] prepare
for their recitation at 11. o'clock they [however] who choose to evade this law
can do it without any detection. The great majority comply, but some go into
their neighbour,
s rooms to receive assistance in their
studies, some lay by the dull book and read a tale: and others farther gone in
the road of idleness and dissipation steal secretly away from College and
ramble in the woods or skate upon the ice, evading their task like truant boys.
they of course are marked absent but
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pretended
sickness will answer for an excuse. they go, on blind to the certainty of
disgrace which must soon come.–