Letter from J. Noyes to Rev. Varnum Noyes, December 16

noyes_c_cor_930.pdf

Dublin Core

Title

Letter from J. Noyes to Rev. Varnum Noyes, December 16

Subject

Brothers and sisters; Hobbies; Dance; Manners and customs; Marriage; Age; Clergy; Astronomy; Uncles; Marriage service; Family

Description

Josiah begins this letter to his brother Varnum by discussing age and how it affects one's hobbies of choice, specifically focusing on the benefits and drawbacks of dancing. He continues by congratulating Varnum on his marriage to Lois. Josiah discusses the news of his hometown; he is rather critical of the reverends. He concludes by writing about the stars, the marriage of their 'Reverend Uncle,' and various family gossip.

Creator

Noyes, Josiah

Source

Loose, The College of Wooster, Special Collections, Noyes Collection

Publisher

Unpublished

Date

????-12-16
????-12-27
c. 1833

Contributor

Council on Library and Information Resources Hidden Special Collections Grant

Format

PDF

Language

eng (English)

Type

Text

Identifier

noyes_c_cor_930

Text Item Type Metadata

Text

[Note: page is ripped and begins in the middle of a phrase]
natural principle based on similar natures, similar taste, feeling and mode of thinking
While a sickly habit and a feeble constitution had retarded my growth, a more healthy
and vigorous constitution enabled you early in life to equal me in size and in a few
years to take the advance. Brother A. was always looked upon as our "older." He and our
sisters had gone into company extensively before [u]I[/u] was [u]large[/u] enough and [u]you old[/u] enough
It may have been owing to this circumstance that we never acquired a stronger attach-
ment for the more fashionable amusements, that might not be inaptly termed the
"[?stuff?] of life", such as dancing, convivial assemblies, "balls" and pleasure parties. Though
[Note: page ripped] [?every-body?] is ready to bring an excuse ^[for] all the acts of life, some think that [u]even[/u]
[Note: page ripped] are not without their benefits. If we [u]seek[/u] an excuse for any of our conduct we
[Note: page ripped] almost always sure to find one; and it would be strange if we could not
possess ingenuity enough to find at least a [u]seeming one[/u] for dancing. Grave professors
of religion are not infrequently heard descanting on the advantages of the dancing
school in improving the manners of young people when [u]manners[/u] [?form?] no
part of the teacher's business; indeed [u]many[/u] dancing masters are themselves essen-
tially deficient in good breeding and good manners if not even in [u]respectability[/u].
To some I may perhaps seem to be unjustly severe; but if [u]your[/u] observations have
coincided with mine, since my first intercourse with the world, you would
have no hesitancy in saying, most of these masters, as they are called, are of such
characters and principle that no parent would be willing to have a son
or daughters modelled by them. Some of them are perhaps the last that I [?should?]
refer to as standards of politeness and good manners; and not a few possess no more
than a [u]passing share[/u] of respectability. But [u]we[/u] have never been spoiled by dancing; and
I apprehend neither regrets that he has never been more attached to this amuse-
ment. From the characters of our dancing-masters, and of those who practise it
most, in the sphere of my observation, very few of our [u]more respectable[/u] young peo-
ple practice or even countenance this amusement. But I will not trouble you
with a dissertation on practices that we are little liable to fall into, even though
we were not now already [u]too old[/u]. I know those, however, who do not hesitate to
practise it in their uncouth manner at [u]twice our age[/u]! Capt. G. with whom
I boarded evinces no less fondness for it than formerly, even though he has numer
ous grand-children and has [u]twice[/u] made the nuptial vow! Nuptial vow! ah,
this makes me think of the last [u]improvement[u] in the condition of my West-
tern Brother. Allow me to congratulate you in the wisdom of your choice, and
the happiness of a union with the [u]only one[/u] your heart had selected from our nu-
merous acquaintances for her amiableness, piety, affection and goodness. I should
now delight to visit you; as I have known you as the [u]brother[/u], and [u][?coelebs?], I want
to see how you look as the [u]husband[/u]! Be assured of my best wishes for your
hap-piness in your new connexion, and though I share no ordinary portion of happiness in
my lonely sojourn in the valley of celibacy, I rejoice that I have a brother that en-
joys [u]even more[/u]. I need not say, so worth a companion you cannot but love.

[Note: page is ripped and begins in the middle of a phrase]
make such an arrangement. I think rather favorably of such a step as the
town is increasing rapidly and new houses are constantly going up. More
than in any town around. People are "marrying and giving in marriage", building,
and even the old meeting-house, with its spire towering [u]ad astra[/u] is threatened with dem-
olition to make room for another of less dimensions, but more elegant and comfor [Note: page ripped]
ble. The old [?sheds?] have already disappeared and a long train of new ones have taken
place, though yet unfinished. Our Rev. Uncle, you are aware, was long since dism[Note: page ripped]
though he has had employment almost every sabbath since. A young Re[Note: page ripped]
by the name of Sessions is settles as his successor in the place. He was ordaine[Note: page ripped]
Oct. 2d. Uncle, thinking himself not treated with common courtesy (as did also the other
clergymen in town) concluded out to be present on the occasion. The fault of disre-
spect, or [u]overnight[/u] as the most favorable will have it, was mostly chargeable to the of-
ficiating parish Committee. In regard to the Ordination, very little trouble was taken
in the parish to [u]prepare[/u] for the occasion and little on the part of people at large
to [u]attend[/u]. I was invited to about a half a dozen places to dine; but as my invitation
were mostly [u]incidental[/u] I did not feel very much elated nor rate them very high; and
accepted of the one that accommodated my business best. The people [?present?] would
no more than make a [u]middling sunday congregation[/u]- the house would have
held twice the number. They were hasty in the settlements of Mr. [?S?] and, in my o-
pinion, [u]injudicious[/u]. He had preached to them only 6 or 7 sabbaths, and I believe du-
ring this short-time not in [u]person[/u] always, but by exchange. [u]He[/u], too, seemed eager
and hasty for a settlement; and I should think he thought more favorable of his
prospects than I do, or have; otherwise he would have been more deliberate, and
perhaps under such circumstances, preferred the situation of the [u]Candidate[/u] to the set-
tled [u]Pastor[/u]. But is it said, "he was in a hurry to get married" and for that pur-
pose [u]urged[/u] the parish on to a ^[more hasty] consummation of their union than they were re-
ally ready for. Judge of the circumstances for yourself when I tell you the parish
meetings to "give him a call" were hasty and thinly attended. On such an interesting
occasion should you think there could be such an apathy that no more than 14 would
attend? - and of these, we are told that [u]one opposed[/u], and another would not vote
at all! Think you the [u]Parish generally[/u] can long preserve harmony, be united and
contented in a settlement effect by so few? If I do not miscalculate men and times there
is little permanency in the whole matter; and you must not be surprised to learn
before [u]yours[/u] have passed that there is difficulty, or even he dismissed. The old adage
is, "hot love is soon cold"- however true or appropriate this may be in the present in-
stance, the [u]"hot"[/u], I believe, was not extensively felt. No more than half the paper in the
parish probably attended the ordination. Mr. S.'s character as a preacher does not proba-
bly [u]transcend[/u] the [u]mediocrity[/u]. He would not be called handsome; though his personal appear
ance is not disagreeable. He has numerous friends, and those warmly attached to him- and
I have no reason to be unfriendly. His salary is $500. He was no sooner settled then he took
a journey and, on his return, brought with him his [u]"fairer half,"[/u] his "better self" his amiable bride.

[Note: page is ripped and begins in the middle of a phrase]
at 3 1/2 [?A?]M. [u]Ceres[/u] is south at 5 in the morning, [u]Pallas[/u] at 3h33m. morning; [u]Juno[/u] at 11h48
them all out. So, too, it will be seen at 7h11m morning; Hershell at 4 P.M. - so you may search
subject of observations. If you wish to ascertain the [u]true North[/u], it be will be pointed out
at 6h. 18m evening. I have been this particular because it is sometimes important to how
the true north; and as the North, or Polar Star revolves around a little circle of 3° 10' across
[Note: page torn for several lines] it will be on the meridian at those times respectively and just 12 hours from then
everal times. I should like to say much more upon Astronomy (more properly ^[it] would
e called [u]Astrology[/u]) but for want of room - as I have not a little yet to say on other
subjects -- the various fixed stars, that so beautify our heavens these pleasant eve -
nings, and the various constellations must be excluded. I have always taken pe-
culiar delight in my researches in this sublime science, and have given several lectures
upon it in Lyceums - one appointment of the kind was quite recent. The subject of
Meteors was for the [?entaiment?] of one evening. This was just after the beautiful
exhibition of Meteors, "shooting" or "falling stars," vulgarly so called, on the morning of Nov. 13.
No account is needed for all the newspapers have been full of them. I have seen ac-
counts of them from the South as far as [?S.C.?] and from the West as far as the western
part of N.Y. -- But I must leave the stars &c for the present. ---------------
Well, our Rev. Uncle is again married - the happy bride was Miss Sarah
[?P. Callendar?] of Boston. They were married at Boston Nov. 25th a very stormy day.
So that I passed thanksgiving with them, three days after their marriage. I wish
you could visit there at this time- you would find, besides our new [u]aunt-in-law[/u], the parlor
and drawing room nearly [note: page is ripped where it was once folded] ed, painted and carpeted, too neat and beautiful eight-day chr
nometer suspended from the ceiling, a large mirror set in mahogany &c. and am not
sure that the closet and dining-table have not received some fine additions. Among other
pleasant things I should not omit the mention of some [u]cheerful and smiling faces[/u]. Mrs. N.
appears to be a pleasant and sociable woman - may she continue so: and I hope this
connexion will be promotive of more happiness and harmony than that between [u]Adam[/u]
and his brother's Widow. Adam, I am informed, is now in Canada and expects to remain there
on hearing of the death of one of his sons there, he left this region with the expectation of not
returning. He and Joseph's widow probably never lived happily together. They are doubtless better
separated. Our cousin Sarah still remains, and I see no probability of her being married -
her health has lately been very good, though a few days since I gave her some medicine.
Thomas Jr. and wife now reside at Holliston - probably doing very well - he is quite steady [illegible]
one of our temperance members. Edwards was at his father's at thanksgiving; but his
lady, Miss Sarah B. Shepard, of Boston, was not with him. Charles lives at home, is a very
worthy young man - has, for months past, been working on the Railway which passes Un-
cle's house at the distance of about 20 rods north. The iron rails are laid part of the way
but not yet through Needham and towns above.- I have not visited Acton for more
than a year. When Uncle preached there, a short time since, our friends and relatives were
in usual health. I have not seen Medway friends since I was over there soon after Mr[?s?] W's
return. I received from you by Mr. Mason some specimens of minerals, but no letter - thank you
for them. They will remind me, as my eye meets them on the shelf, of Ohio and a dear brother re-
siding there: though they are not needed for [u]that purpose[/u]. Our Cousin Caroline Brooks I hear
is in the western part of N.Y. She is truly a fine, interesting girl - Elizabeth of Acton. Cousin Isaac
is wandering up and down in the earth and I fear not doing very well. By letters from Westmore
land I learn our friend Adeline, now Mrs. [?Hurd?], is at her father's. Her sister Alma and husband have
emigrated to the West - so I may never see them again. You have doubtless feared that our Cousin Charles
White is at last married!! Mary Brown is also married and now resides at New Ipswich. Though I am guardian to a
young lady. I neither claim nor exercise any control over the wiser concerns of the heart - adieu for the present - J. Noyes
[Note: Written sideways]
Tender my affectionate regards to Lois, and aspire her of the interest I feel in the wife of my valued brother [Note: page torn] allow [u]her[/u] a [?spa?]
done - i.e. [u]write sooner[/u]. I have lately purchased a new Sulky - cost without harness, $125. I want you very [Note: page torn] [?me?] perform some.

Needham Mass 25
Dec 16 -
Dec 27

Rev. Varnum Noyes
Guilford - Medina Co.
Ohio

Simple



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以相似的性质、相似的品味、感觉和思维方式为基础的自然原则
虽然病态的习惯和虚弱的体质阻碍了我的成长,但更健康的
强壮的体质使你早年的体型和我
年采取提前。 A弟兄一直被视为我们的“年长者”。他和我们的
在我足够大而你还不够大之前,姐妹们已经广泛加入公司
可能是因为这种情况,我们从未有过更强烈的执着
对于更时尚的娱乐,这可能并不恰当地称为
“生活的东西”,例如跳舞、欢乐集会、“舞会”和欢乐派对。尽管
[注:页面撕掉]每个人都准备好为所有的生活行为找借口,有些人认为即使
[注:页面被撕掉] 也不是没有好处。如果我们为我们的任何行为寻找借口,我们
[注:页面被撕掉] 几乎总能找到一张;如果我们不能,那就太奇怪了
拥有足够的聪明才智,至少可以找到一个看似跳舞的人。坟墓教授
经常听到宗教人士贬低舞蹈的好处
学校在改善年轻人的礼仪时,礼仪不成
教师业务的一部分;确实很多舞蹈大师本身就是本质
即使没有体面,也缺乏良好的教养和良好的举止。
对某些人来说,我可能看起来过于严厉了;但如果你的观察有
恰逢我,自从我第一次与世界交往以来,你会
毫不犹豫地说,这些大师中的大多数,正如他们所说的那样,都是这样的
没有父母愿意生儿子的性格和原则
或以他们为榜样的女儿。其中一些可能是我应该做的最后一个
被称为礼貌和礼貌的标准;不少人不再拥有
而不是一点点的体面。但我们从未被舞蹈宠坏;和
我并不后悔他从未如此痴迷于这种娱乐——
更换。从我们的舞蹈大师的性格,以及那些练习它的人
大多数,在我观察的范围内,我们[u]更受尊敬的年轻人中很少有人
练习甚至支持这种娱乐。但我不会麻烦你
有一篇关于我们不太容易陷入的实践的论文,即使
我们现在还不算太老。然而,我知道那些毫不犹豫地
在我们两倍大的时候以他们粗鲁的方式练习它! G队长与谁
尽管他有无数
孙子,曾两次发过婚誓!结婚誓言!啊,
这让我想起了我西哥的最后一次改善。
请允许我祝贺你选择的智慧,并且
与你的心从我们众多熟人中选择的唯一一个结合的幸福,因为她和蔼可亲、虔诚、深情和善良。

我应该
现在很高兴拜访您;因为我知道你是兄弟,而且[?不清楚的词?],我想要
看看你作为丈夫的样子!请放心,我对您的良好祝愿
在你的新交往中幸福,虽然我在
我在独身的山谷中孤独的逗留,我很高兴我有一个兄弟,
欢乐更甚。我不必说,如此值得一个你不得不爱的伴侣。

[注意:页面被撕开并从一个短语的中间开始]
做出这样的安排。我认为这样的步骤是相当有利的
城镇正在迅速增加,新房不断增加。比周围的任何城镇都多。
人们在“嫁娶嫁娶”,建筑,
甚至连塔尖耸立的旧会议室也面临拆除的威胁
为另一个尺寸更小,但更优雅和舒适的空间腾出空间 [注意:页面被撕掉]
旧棚已经消失,一长串新棚已经走了
地方,虽然还没有完成。你知道的,我们的牧师叔叔早就[注:页面被撕掉了]
尽管从那以后他几乎每个安息日都有工作。一个年轻的[注:页面被撕掉]
以“塞申斯”之名作为他的继任者落户于此。他被任命[注:页面撕开]
10 月 2 日。叔叔,认为自己没有受到普通的礼貌对待(就像另一个
镇上的神职人员)得出的结论是当时在场。不尊重的过错,
或最有利的监督,主要是由主持教区委员会负责的。
关于圣职,很少有麻烦
在教区为这一场合做准备,而一般人很少
出席。我被邀请到大约六个地方用餐。但作为我的邀请

大部分是偶然的,我没有感到非常高兴,也没有给他们很高的评价;和
接受了最适合我的业务的那个。在场的人会
只不过是做一个中等规模的周日聚会——房子会
持有两倍的数字。他们在 S 先生的定居点仓促行事,在我看来,他们是不明智的。
他只向他们讲道了六七个安息日,我相信杜-
这段短暂的时间并不总是亲自敲响,而是通过交换。他也显得很热心
急于解决;我应该认为他认为他更喜欢他的
比我做的或拥有的前景;否则他会更加深思熟虑,并且
也许在这种情况下,候选人的情况比定居的牧师更喜欢。
但是否有人说,“他急着结婚”,为了那个目的——
珀斯敦促教区比他们真正准备的更仓促地完成他们的工会。
当我告诉你教区时,你自己判断情况
“给他打电话”的会议很仓促,而且出席人数很少。在这样一个有趣的
场合你是否认为可能会有这样的冷漠,以至于不超过 14 人会
参加? - 其中,我们被告知一个反对,另一个不会投票
一点也不!认为你的教区一般可以长期保持和谐,团结和
满足于这么少的定居效应?如果我没有误判那里的人和时间
整个问题的持久性很小;你一定不要惊讶于学习
在你的过去之前有困难,甚至他被解雇了。古老的格言
是,“热的爱很快就会冷”——无论这在现在是多么真实或恰当——
立场,我相信,“热”并没有被广泛感受到。不超过论文中的一半
教区可能参加了祝圣。 S.先生作为传教士的性格并不能证明——
bly超越平庸。他不会被称为英俊;虽然他的个人出现
ance并不令人讨厌。他有许多朋友,还有那些对他很热情的人——和
我没有理由不友好。他的工资是 500 美元。他刚安顿好,就拿了
一次旅行,并在他回来时带来了他的“更公平的一半”,他的“更好的自己”他和蔼可亲的新娘。

[注意:页面被撕开并从一个短语的中间开始]
凌晨 3 点 30 分。 “谷神星”在早上 5 点向南,“Pallas”在 3:33 向南。早晨;朱诺 11:48
他们都出来了。所以,早上 7 点 11 分也会看到;下午 4 点的“Hershell” - 所以你可以搜索
观察的对象。如果您想确定真正的北方,它将被指出
6点18分。我一直很特别,因为它有时对如何
真正的北方;当北极或极星绕着一个 3° 10' 的小圆圈旋转时
[注:页面被撕了几行]分别在那个时间和12小时后的子午线上
每次。我想对天文学说更多(更恰当地说,它会
被称为占星术),但因为空间不足——正如我在其他方面还没有多少话要说
主题——各种各样的恒星,在这些愉快的夜晚如此美化了我们的天堂,
并且必须排除各种星座。我一直对我对这门崇高科学的研究感到特别高兴,
并做过几次讲座
在 Lyceums 上,有一次这样的任命是最近才出现的。的主题
流星是为了度过一个晚上。这只是在美丽之后
流星展览,“射击”或“流星”,俗称,11 月 13 日上午。
不需要帐户,因为所有的报纸都写满了。我从南方到南卡罗来纳州都看过他们的记载
从西到西
纽约的一部分。但我必须暂时离开星星。 ---------------
好吧,我们的牧师叔叔又结婚了——幸福的新娘是波士顿的“Sarah P. Callendar”小姐。
他们于 11 月 25 日在波士顿举行了婚礼,那是一个风雨交加的日子。
所以在他们结婚三天后,我和他们一起度过了感恩节。我希望
这个时候你可以去那里——你会发现,除了我们的新姑姑,客厅
和客厅几乎[注意:页面在它曾经折叠的地方被撕开],油漆和地毯,太整洁和美丽的八天计时器悬挂在天花板上,
桃花心木镶嵌的大镜子,而我不是
确保壁橱和餐桌没有得到一些精美的补充。除其他外
令人愉快的事情我不应该忽略一些快乐和微笑的面孔。 N夫人
似乎是一个令人愉快和善于交际的女人——愿她继续这样:我希望这
与亚当之间的联系将促进更多的幸福与和谐
和他哥哥的寡妇。据我所知,亚当现在在加拿大,并希望继续留在那里
在听到一个人的死讯他的一个儿子在那里,他离开了这个地区,期望不会
返回。他和约瑟夫的遗孀可能从来没有幸福地生活在一起。他们无疑更好
分开。我们的表妹莎拉还在,我看不出她结婚的可能性——
她的身体最近一直很好,虽然我给她吃药已经几天了。
“Thomas” Jr. 和妻子现在住在 Holliston - 可能做得很好 - 他相当稳定 [无法辨认]
我们的节制成员之一。爱德华兹在他父亲的感恩节。但他的
波士顿的“Sarah B. Shepard”小姐没有和他在一起。查尔斯住在家里,是一个非常
值得一提的年轻人——几个月来一直在修铁路,这条铁路经过叔叔家,距离北约 20 杆。
铁轨铺设了一部分
但还没有通过李约瑟和上面的城镇。我没有更多地访问阿克顿
超过一年。当叔叔在那里传道时,不久之后,我们的朋友和亲戚都在
在平时的健康。自从我在 W 先生之后不久就到那里后,我就再也没有见过梅德韦的朋友
返回。我收到了“梅森”先生寄来的一些矿物标本,但没有收到信——谢谢
为他们。当我在架子上看到它们时,它们会提醒我俄亥俄州和居住在那里的亲爱的兄弟:
尽管为此目的不需要它们。我听说我们的表妹“卡罗琳·布鲁克斯”
在纽约西部,她真的是一个精致有趣的女孩——“阿克顿的伊丽莎白”。表弟“艾萨克”
在地球上徘徊,我怕做得不好。韦斯特莫尔的来信
我知道我们的朋友“艾德琳”现在“赫德夫人”在她父亲家。她的姐姐“阿尔玛”和丈夫有
移民到西方——所以我可能再也见不到他们了。你无疑害怕我们的表弟“查尔斯
怀特”终于结婚了!“玛丽布朗”也结婚了,现在住在新伊普斯威奇。虽然我是一个监护人
年轻女子。我既没有声称也没有控制心脏的更明智的关注 - 现在再见 - J. Noyes
【注:横着写】
向露易丝致以深情的问候,并希望她对我亲爱的兄弟的妻子感兴趣
完成 - 即早点写。我最近购买了一个新的 Sulky - 不带安全带的成本,125 美元。我非常希望你[注:页面撕裂]执行一些。

马萨诸塞州李约瑟 25
12月16日 -
12月27日

牧师 Varnum Noyes
吉尔福德-麦地那公司
俄亥俄州

简单的

Original Format

Letter

Citation

Noyes, Josiah, “Letter from J. Noyes to Rev. Varnum Noyes, December 16,” Letters from Harriet Noyes: Missionaries and Women's Education in Nineteenth Century China, accessed March 29, 2024, https://noyesletters.org/items/show/1019.

Output Formats