 W-MCP5-6.269 TO MISS ESTIMATE RUTH ESTHER BALDWIN [MCQUESTEN] from Emma [?] Apr 21 1841 Monday To: Estimate Ruth Esther Baldwin [McQuesten], Nashua, New Hampshire, [U.S.A.] From: Meriden, [New Hampshire, U.S.A]My dear Miss Baldwin,
Your brother told me when I came into the [?] class this morning that he should have an opportunity of sending you tomorrow and I have been hurrying all day to get time to
write, but have not found it till now. I ought to have
acknowledged your letter ere this,--but I am so much engaged this term that I have hardly found time for writing.
I have Latin this term with Batony [sic] and music--and every recreation hour I want to spend in [baton?] thing but
I do not. I assure you my dear Miss B. that you are missed very much by our Latin class--the class is not as large as last term. Miss Tracy has left it and Mr. Upton but Miss
Husmer still remains. Miss Train and my own self are the only ladies. O that you could be here.
The school is nearly as full this term as it was last
but we have few "real good girls"--the female department is mostly filled with Misses--and some gay, rude ones--I assure
you. I go into your room occasionally to see Misses Baldwin and Train--and the recollection of our short acquaintance, appears like a dream, like a pleasant dream.
I board at Mr. Wingate's yet, and have a roommate--a Miss Rogers--from Claremont. She was a stranger to me but I find her a very pleasant companion. She has mirthfulness fully developed.
Your brother's health is improving as you will probably learn from himself by the same mail--of this; I had the pleasure of a walk in company with him and some half dozen others--upon the ledges last week it was a long walk but I should like to try it again, and wonder of wonders yesterday a party of thirty gentlemen and ladies took the same route--I assure you the "natives" stared.
I learned yesterday of your prosperity--and was very happy to hear it--but feel as though you ought to be here. How often we "meet to part" to run together the daily
routine of employments for a few weeks; and then part but do we part forever? Long blessed is the Christian in the hope of meeting never to part but to abide in a state of unalloyed happiness forever--and ever--God grant that this way be our lot.
I attended the prayer meeting last Tuesday evening but there were not more than twelve or fourteen there. I could not avoid turning my thoughts back to our last term--when the room was filled--I should judge there were few professors of Religion--there in our department. The best
girls of last term are gone or at least some of them. There are few here who were here when you were--But the clock has just struck nine and I must carry this letter [as?] to the
[door?] tonight.
Please excuse the haste in which this has been written
and write me soon & you shall have a fuller letter next time
Yours affectionately,
Emma [?]
|