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PF2.2.36
Date
4-25-1837
Transcript
Clinton, April 25th 1837
“Mon bon ami;”
I have not room to tell how much my conscience has troubled me for not answering yours sooner – “pardonnez moi” for I have begun one or two, but for some good reason or other, conclude to throw them aside. It’s now vacation – I hav’nt studied at all, at least none of the regular studies – been reading history & biography, novels, & ‘sich like’ – a very good way indeed for a ‘young man’ of ‘abilities’ & ‘versatility of genius’ to employ those leisure moments, which in the course of Divine Providence he is permitted to enjoy!! (go thou & do likewise) And moreover to tell the whole truth, I have not scrupled much, to take a good cup of hot coffee during these long evenings, now & then; when wearied with ‘arduous duties’ of the day – especially this melancholy period of the year – when ‘Nature is putting on her robe of Green & flowers of every hue adorn the landscape’, and a thousand songsters from every grove send forth their melodious notes in praise of the Great Creator!!! Nor has a game of Chess – (bah!) proved entirely unacceptable, to relieve the dull ‘monotony of hours’ as they wear lazily away – And that pail of ‘Maple Syrup’ which I helped to lug off from Old Powells sugar camp – did not disappoint our expectations- for we drank it – yes! We drank thee O Syrup! Thou quintessence of the ‘pure juice’ which distils from the Maple! – We drank it & then we raised a jovial song, so loud – so long that the old gloomy halls did echo round the round, as though some ‘goblins damned’ were there = & then we raised a laugh & such a laugh. – the very walls did shake -and -and my pen refuses to proceed in such a strain - & I am as glad of it as you are – but we did sing & laugh & pass the ‘jovial bowl’ (of syrup) around until after midnight & then we went to bed! Just as all good boys should do.
‘O College Life’s the life for me
I own I love it dearly
Every evening’s full of glee
We pass the time right cheerily’
Aug 26th
You say you will return with me this fall. Well, I do not know that I shall return here next fall. – but if so I will choose a room for you & room with you if you have no objections. All the reason that I think of leaving- is because there is always something going on to destroy harmony among the students or between students & faculty. Perhaps you may have seen something about the “Memorial of the faculty of Ham. Coll.” There are two opinions about that memorial our part of community thinks it is just what it ought to be, & the other part think it a flat concern. There isn’t a student in college but thinks the same. And many of them will leave at the end of next term at least they say they will. I should not leave on that account alone – for it’s none of my business – this college presents as many advantages for improvement in science & Literature as any other & what do students come to college for if not to improve in those branches? But after all one does dislike to receive instructions from a faculty of from a teacher whom he despises or hates or even dislikes – I cannot bear to be under any obligations whatever to such a man. But I don’t want you to make up your mind not to come here until you hear from me again. – being a little excited about this time, perhaps I make things appear worse than they really are – On the whole I think I shall stay here & graduate. Our term commences tomorrow (27th) The Junior exhibition will take place on the 3rd of May – Next term the Sophomore Class will study Homer – Couic Sections & Cicero de Oratore. So much for College.
By the Huron Reflector it appeareth that Mr Goodenow has already become Theodore’s brother-in-law as you said he soon would be – If the Cadet, sat like Patience on the Monument & shit on it – no remedy less severe than a first rate cowhiding would have answered the purpose
Theodore writes that he (cadet) is studying law. If he keeps on the way he has begun, he will doubtless stand conspicuous for his talents. Bill Gallup says he has had six gals to attent to this, or last winter & alleges that as a reason why I sh’d excuse him for not writing sooner – tell him
Recommended Citation
Buckingham, Jerome, "Letter from Jerome Buckingham to a friend" (1837). 19th Century Correspondence. 55.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/correspondence_19thc/55