University of Virginia Library

Your much welcomed and appreciated letter received a week ago, and
you cannot imagine how much I enjoyed its reading, for when finished
I felt as though it had been a delightfully long chat. How I long to be
with you all and especially in the Chapter Room. I am so glad our
Fraternity is in such a flourishing condition, and I hope it will never have
to go through a year like that of 1875-76. True we brought her out
with flying colors, but you know the trouble we had. . . . My German
life is an improvement in some ways over that at the University, especially
in rooms and board. Living here, however, is so different from that in
the States, as Irish potatoes and pork seem the prevailing diet—that which
at first came rather rough. But having become accustomed to this, now
I relish a dish of potatoes no less than a German. As a nation I don't
consider them clean or wise in many of their customs. Thus boys and
girls are strictly kept apart, enjoying little in common, as walking, riding,
talking, etc. When engaged it is published and then you may go with
your fiancée unguarded—even kiss her before the "Old Folks." Engagements
here mean marriage and they are seldom broken. I told Mrs.
Lauenstein that her niece was very pretty only to make her horrified, thus
one must be guarded even in paying deserved compliments. . . .
Luneburg is a very old place with attractive environs, and its people,
like those throughout this land, have no respect for Sunday—stores being
open and business never ceasing. They consume much beer, I even indulging
an occasional glass, but the working classes take considerable
rum. Christmas, which I am glad to say is over, has a greater recognition
than with us. It began on Christmas Eve with every household illuminating
their Christmas tree—that which all have, the poor as well as the
rich. And they think there are no trees outside of Germany—but how
mistaken, as even ours are much prettier. Christmas Day was jolly cold
—20 degrees below zero, Reaumur, how much in Fahrenheit I don't know.
Snow lay on the ground, but it was too cold for sleighing. I had three
invitations out, and managed to accept two. New Year's Night I attended
a supper where a number of young ladies were in attendance
with whom I spoke their language to my heart's content. I missed Massie's
good dinner—mine being the same as every day. There were no
fireworks, and although I enjoyed my German Christmas I decidedly
prefer our way of observing it. I had my first experience at a German
ball several nights ago. The ladies came with mamma, papa or brother,
and we gentlemen with beaver in hand met them in the dancing hall.
This beaver must be kept in the hand until beginning to dance—what a
foolish custom. We started with a polonaise—a walk round, in which all,
old and young entered; then came a waltz, at the rate of a mile a minute,

and after going around the room once I had to stop for a breathing
spell. I was so tired and others seemed like me. There were only two
square dances, the rest round. At supper I played escort to a blushing
girl—not eighteen but twenty-eight, after which repast came three waltzes
and the cotillon—our German. The girls cannot compare to ours, as I
did not see one that I called pretty. The nobility here are distinguished
by the prefix Von, and I have had the honor, if it may so be considered,
of dancing and talking with many of that coterie. I am afraid you
fellows are taking too much calico, but hope when the time comes for
studying you will give the former a rest. . . . I trust the performance
of your minstrel troup was good—tell me all about it in your next. I
suppose Fawsett still plays funny for East Range. He is a great fellow.
Give abundant love to all our companions—Harding, Davis, Campbell,
Shawhan, Barringer, Shackelford, Turner, Marshall, John and Tate Harris.
Hope to be able to give you a German letter next time I write.
Answer soon, telling me all the news.