 | Berkeley papers |  |
I have been thinking a great deal about you tonight and it
is no more than right that you should know it. But the thought
strikes me that if I write I shall not know where to direct. Never
mind, if my letter never reaches you you'll not be a great loser.
I am determined to write.
If I only knew to what point of time you were posted up
it would be very comforting, but as I do not you must consider
yourself the one at fault if I repeat some things which I have already
written. I think I told you of Mr. Suters and Landers conversion
with full particulars. I wrote too about Andrews visit to
Middletown, and about Prof. Lindsays engagement! but you have not
heard of my visit to Boston, during the session of the General Conference.
I spent two weeks among the Massachusetts Yankees much to
my pleasure. Stopped a Sabbath with George Steele on my way to B.
We went out together and exercised our "gifts and graces" quite as
much I fear to the amazement of each other as to the edification
of our hearers. You may have heard and you may not of George's
marriage. He assumed new responsibilities one week ago tomorrow
morning. The ceremony was performed publicly in the chapel of the
inatitution by the Principal. Prof Lindsay was married too three
weeks since. His bride creates a great sensation here among these
quizzing yankees. Really she is a fine lady. If all your Southern
ladies appear as well I shall surely find my way to Maryland or
Virginia ere long. You don't speak very "much at length" about
your future prospects and intentions. I presume however from incidental
remarks that you intend to return to the University another
year.Are you decided to seat yourself in a professors chair
for life, or will you by and by become a good old fashioned itinerant?
Seems to me I should be glad to hear you preach, as indeed I
am inclined to believe you have "a call".
We are now in the midst of senior examinations. Four
weeks from today comes commencement. Will you be with us? In your
last you certainly gave me reason to hope so, I cannot promise
you that same nice little iron bedstead for Herrick too is married
and has left us with all his personal effects, but I promise you
still better accomodations, better in every respect, I cannot particularize.
Our "Bill of Fare" is about as attractive as usual,
some say more so, but I am hardly willing to subscribe to this.
Judge for yourself. Adam Reid of Salisbury and Park Benjamin before
the Public Societies, President Allen of Gerard before the "O B K"
and President Tefft of Genesee Cty before the Alumni. So far as
commencement is concerned I can only say that the graduating class
speak well of their own powers, and profess themselves determined
not to be a whit behind the illustrious class of /51. But why
should I speak of all these things. You would not be induced to
come here for the sake of witnessing any literary performances.
Whenever you think of visiting us, and begin to weigh attractions
you do not ask what great men will speak there, but who of my old
friends shall I see. Now I can only answer you in the most general
terms, by saying that we look for a large representation from the
class of 1849—Miller, Brown Andrew etc. Van Vleck too will be
here. His interest in the affairs of the institution seems to be
actually Burred to us. I spent a few days with him at Cambridge
this spring to my great enjoyment. His situation though not altogether
such an one as I should fancy is still on many accounts
just the place for him. No other one of his class receives as good
a salary as he ($1000) and his native fondness for figures enables
him to extract poetry and eloquence from logarithms and sines.
The future is all dark to me yet so far as any definite
plans are concerned. Sometimes I feel quite inclined to take a full
theological course and again I am disposed to enter upon the duties
of my calling forthwith. I have told the authorities here that I
shall not remain with them another year for my present salary-so
I suppose I shall leave as they can find ambitious young men in
abundance who will be willing to serve them for a pittance. On the
whole, I am heartily glad I came here. The year has been filled
with comfort, and I think not altogether destitute of profit. It
is a shame to leave this sheet unfilled but I am called away and
theres no help for it. Remember me to all who are dear to you—
and let me hear from you immediately that I may not be in suspense
about your visit.
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