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PF2.2.82
Date
1-7-1839
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Kenyon College January 7th, 1839
Dear Father,
I read your letter of Dec. 16 about a week since and was glad enough to see it. I also had one from from Gales the same week being the first except newspaper that I had heard from. I have at different times sent you papers with a few lines written upon them. If there is better postage charged on them do not take them out of the office. We have had a vacation from Christmas one week. However few of the students left the College. You say in your letter that I have not mentioned how I liked the place. I was well aware that I did not say anything of it for I was not prepared to form an opinion and the first sight was anything but agreeable. It is a small retired village in midst of the woods with few houses but those belonging to the professors, and boarding houses, only one store no tavern no place of amusement of any kind. All together it is not near so large as Westville. This was not exactly what I expected. Everything appeared strange. But now I have got used to it I like it, like it much indeed. There is nothing to draw the mind from study no [?] no pleasure not even [?] for I return today 1/2 of the students at this present have holes in the elbows of their coats. On Wednesdays Saturdays and Sundays as they all meet together it is customary to look a little better but you would be surprised to see them. There are students here the sons of the richest men in the South West and their appearance is the [larue]. The College as I mentioned to our before is a noble looking old building. I will send you in my next letter a drawing of it. I get along well with my study better than expected As to the marks you mentioned they have not come out yet this session. The reason I cannot tell. I asked Prof H[ivendor] about them yesterday he says they have not yet concluded whether to publish them this session or not. If they do I will send you a paper with [every] letter marked. I really hope they will for I do not believe I shall be ashamed of them. I have now got a room mate he has been with me about 6 weeks we get along well together. His name Doddridge and he belongs in Circleville Ohio. Our [heads] are to rise at 6 in the morning [?]ont our room make beds and by the time we have done that the first Prayer bell will ring. We then get ready to washed and all things ready for the second bell which rings at 7. Then we go to prayers this takes about 15 minutes from prayers we go to breakfast- and from breakfast back to our rooms. By this time the clock strikes 8 and from that time to[?] [?] our yesterday lessons, at 9 comes 1st recitation this lasts till 12 past 10 then comes 2 recitation which lasts till 12. Then to ½ past 12 we do nothing at ½ past 12 arrives then nothing exercise till ½ past one when 3 recitation that and the 4th [?] lasts till 4 o clock. Then prayers and supper and from prayers to ½ past 7 we do what we please the bell then rings again for study and we are not allowed to [leave] our rooms again till morning unless for some good reason. With exceptions od sundays and Wednesdays and Saturday afternoons this our regular routine of business on these afternoons we come together at the Chapel to read compositions and for rhetorical exercises. Besides my other study I have gone early though Days Algebra have had more than 3 times as much Latin as all I had when I come here have gone through English Grammer. Besides [?uck] in the other study so that in the spring I hope to be able to overtake the class which was a year ahead of me. Tell Mr. Rouse that he may expect a letter from me soon I intend to write to him and to [?] Thomas in a week or so I am glad that he liked the [Eucyelopeaice]. I but I have wished many times that I had it [?] would be of much use to me however it is well as it is. You say my expenses were more on my journey out than you anticipated. They were more than I expected myself but here I think I can make them less. I have not left the hill that is the College land but twice since I arrived and here there [rucissaurs] to call for money. You ask how you shall send me moneyit would be best on one of the New York books which you command a [?] have but if either of the N. Haven Books it would be pen. I shall not need much perhaps with the close of the session but if you could send me 5 or 10 dollars in a letter it would come safe I think and I would like it for I have to pay out a little occasionally for wood lights mending shoes and boots. I think if you folded a letter carefully it would not be seen at any rate the students receive money in letters every day and I never heard one mention losing anything yet. Why did not mother write a few lines in your letter [since] there was room enough I wish she would and I hope you you will write soon and let ne know what you think of the above. You say the locks go dull I am sorry enough I assure you but surely there must be a [sall] for them yet it can’t be otherwise. You boys went east much at last if you find them all as you say you have found two. My track came as I [found] it safe as could be all except my 6 [?] that broke and [?] out altogether my white hat was rather masked but all the [?] was right. Give my respects to enquiring friends to Charles Julia Stely Louisa [?]. Tell me how they get along as to setting the estate. Do they fight any, So College has done well I don’t care but I think hey will contrive to cheat out a few thousands yet and Lew Thomas. Well its a pity it did not happen long ago. If you can get a catalogue of Yale College and a Yale Literary Magazine please send them to me one or both. The next time I write I will get large paper.
Your Dear Son,
Luc G. Peck
My account of expenses has not amounted to but little since note a [?] for books and wood lights so I will send the whole however in my next letter. Don’t forget to send he papers. Of my [Leek] said it was unhealthy here there has been but 2 deaths among the students from disease in 5 years and there was only one case of sickness last session and that was consumption. The [plague] never appears here at all so he was a bit mistaken. There is a young man here by the name of French from Old Milford he is in the same class that I am in. He is a fine young man [?] and intelligent.
He is a son of a Dr. French there I believe there are some [hers] from Mass and since from R.S. the Northern and Southern are two societies and 2 sets altogether. Don’t forget to write soon.
Recommended Citation
Peck, Lucius G., "Letter from Lucius G. Peck to Levi Peck" (1839). 19th Century Correspondence. 61.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/correspondence_19thc/61