5th March
Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,
President Cuyler made a speech this evening about the modern generationbeing flippant and superficial. He says that we are losing the oldideals of earnest endeavour and true scholarship; and particularly isthis falling-off noticeable in our disrespectful attitude towardsorganized authority. We no longer pay a seemly deference to oursuperiors.
I came away from chapel very sober.
Am I too familiar, Daddy? Ought I to treat you with more dignity andaloofness?--Yes, I'm sure I ought. I'll begin again.
My Dear Mr. Smith,
You will be pleased to hear that I passed successfully my mid-yearexaminations, and am now commencing work in the new semester. I amleaving chemistry--having completed the course in qualitativeanalysis--and am entering upon the study of biology. I approach thissubject with some hesitation, as I understand that we dissectangleworms and frogs.
An extremely interesting and valuable lecture was given in the chapellast week upon Roman Remains in Southern France. I have never listenedto a more illuminating exposition of the subject.
We are reading Wordsworth's Tintern Abbey in connection with our coursein English Literature. What an exquisite work it is, and howadequately it embodies his conceptions of Pantheism! The Romanticmovement of the early part of the last century, exemplified in theworks of such poets as Shelley, Byron, Keats, and Wordsworth, appealsto me very much more than the Classical period that preceded it.Speaking of poetry, have you ever read that charming little thing ofTennyson's called Locksley Hall?
I am attending gymnasium very regularly of late. A proctor system hasbeen devised, and failure to comply with the rules causes a great dealof inconvenience. The gymnasium is equipped with a very beautifulswimming tank of cement and marble, the gift of a former graduate. Myroom-mate, Miss McBride, has given me her bathing-suit (it shrank sothat she can no longer wear it) and I am about to begin swimminglessons.
We had delicious pink ice-cream for dessert last night. Only vegetabledyes are used in colouring the food. The college is very much opposed,both from aesthetic and hygienic motives, to the use of aniline dyes.
The weather of late has been ideal--bright sunshine and cloudsinterspersed with a few welcome snow-storms. I and my companions haveenjoyed our walks to and from classes--particularly from.
Trusting, my dear Mr. Smith, that this will find you in your usual goodhealth,
I remain, Most cordially yours, Jerusha Abbott