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Description
PF2.2.42
Date
3-27-1840
Transcript
Kenyon Coll: March 27, 1840
Friday Evening
My Dear Uncle,
I rejoice that you are so pleasantly sit-seated at lunch [?] it must be very agreeable for you to be near your little children, even although you felt assured of their welfare when you were about. It gives me much satisfaction that our of them is growing up into the images of [Electa]. May she be more and more like her as she grows up, not only in bodily fractures but in those traits of the mind, and in that goodness of heart, which made our dear [Electa] beloved by all who knew her.
I have no news to write of our dear friends in New York. They have been unusually [amiss] in writing to me this winter. I have actually received but our letter from them, [siver] I returned last September. They are so negligent that I will expose them. To be sure, I have [?] but little better myself, but the first offence was with them, and I only followed suit. I long to hear from Uncle John and Aunt Julia, and I want you to coax them to write. Tell them that my time is so [entirely] taken up [?] work and study that I can only find time to answer letters, and this I feel bound to do. So that if they will only break the ice, I will promise them [an] almost immediate reply. I believe, however, I should have written to them long ago, but I [did] not know till I received your last, what was their Post Office address. I have become somewhat acquainted with young [burtis], of whom you spoke and should suppose him a very clever fellow. He has been suffering all winter with a swelling on his knee, which has hindered him very much in his studies, but he is now slowly recovering. His health otherwise is good. He is in the Preparatory School connected with this Institution, but is hoping to be able to enter College next Fall. I do not think of returning home next Fall, and should like nothing better than to visit you at Uncle Daniel’s; But money is such a rae thing to be found in my purse, that I consider it exceedingly doubtful whether I should be able to come, even if everything else favored. I am actually pushed so hard sometimes that I [can] hardly beg or borrow money enough to pay the postage on a letter. But I have the consolation of not being entirely [aloud] in such matters. “Misery”, you know, “loves company.” Never mind; in a year and a half, with the blessing of God, I shall be through college. The annual Spring Exhibition in the College took place on the 18th. You will see by the first page, the [Grade] of Exercises on that day. The subject [with] which I spoke, I must inform you is my favorite hobby. The day was fine, and the house was full. Everything passed off admirably. I wish you could have been here. You must excuse the haste and carelessness with which I have written this. I have written upon the full gallop; a thousand duties almost spurring me on.
Affectionately,
W.G French
I send you hopes occasionally, knowing that you are fond of reading in your leisure moments. I send three with this. I suppose you are pleased with the “slick” letters. They afford the [truest] [caricating] of high life I have ever met with: and none the worse for their true Yankee style. You will, of course write when you have leisure. May God give you all comfort and bless you abundantly.
Save to all
In Haste, Yours, W
Recommended Citation
French, W. G., "Letter from W. G. French to his uncle" (1840). 19th Century Correspondence. 69.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/correspondence_19thc/69