Letter from Hattie to Em, January 8, 1874

Letter from Hattie to Em, January 8, 1874

Letter writing; Postal Service; Prayer groups

Harriet begins this letter to her sister, Emily, by talking about Lucy and Mattie who are sitting with her writing letters. She and Henry have been going to Chinese prayer meetings but since Mattie and Lucy are not far enough in their Chinese, they have been staying at home. She hopes that Em is having a good time in Wooster and gives her some advice. Harriet tells Em to take her time in school and to not finish up too early. She is also sad that she will be missing her graduation and then thanks her for the hat she received in the mail.

Noyes, Harriet Newell

The College of Wooster, Special Collections, Noyes Collection, Box #1

Unpublished

1874-01-08

Council on Library and Information Resources Hidden Special Collections Grant

PDF

eng (English)

Text

noyes_c_cor_107

Canton.
Jany 8th 187[--3--]4.
My dear Em,
Lucy says that she
is writing to you by this mail
and if we wish we can put
something in with hers, so I
will commence my writing
for this mail by accepting
her offer. If you could look
in upon us now you would
think we have quite a little
family circle . We are gathered
around the parlor table. Lucy
on one side writing letters Mattie
on another side writing a letter
to Em and Hattie on the
third side writing to Em so
I am sure you will
think we are in good business
Henry "the head of the family"
is seated by the fire place
reading the home papers
and the kitty is sitting in
Lucy's lap purring in

genuine American style.
Now dont you think this is
a picture of home comfort.
The clock has just struck
nine so I shall not have
much time for writing to-night
although since Mattie came
we have made a practice of
staying awake until about
eleven o-clock and filling
up the time with talking
if we cannot find anything
else to do. We that is Henry
and I have been to Chinese
prayer meeting but as Mattie
and Lucy have not got on
far enough in Chinese to be
very much edified in such
a place they staid at home
and spent the time in
writing letters. Our mail
came in today and we
were so glad to get letter news
from home. I do hope that
Edward will feel happier
soon. We are glad too to
hear that you are enjoying

yourself in Wooster. And now
let me as your senior give you
a bit of advice. We have heard
from some source or other that
it is feared that you may
take it into your head to try
and hurry up your course and
get through in the spring instead
of going on regularly and
finishing up properly at the
right time. Now let us [u]implore[/u]
you not to do any such thing.
I hope you are not contemplating
it and that this advice is entirely
unnecessary. How much I wish
I could be there and [u]see[/u]
you graduate. When we come
back you must take us down
to see your "Alma Mater". I
have quite an affection already
for the university not wholly
on your account Either I
wanted to write you bu last
mail to thank you for your
nice presents that Mattie brought
me but I was [u]so busy[/u]. The hat
you sent me I like [u]so much[/u] it is
very pretty + becoming to me

I had a very nice hat given me
last year by a lady in Hong kong
it was made in Paris and I
presume cost ten or perhaps twenty
dollars but I never looked very
well in it and I am so glad
that I like the shape and looks
of this one so much better and
then it is very pleasant to wear
something that you have made.
The [u]red[/u] flowers suit me exactly I
have almsot given up wearing
[u]blue[/u] since I have grown so
sallow. The belt buckle you sent
I shall make good use of and
think of you when I wear it.
I wish I could send you something
in return. Since Mattie came
and has told us all about you
it makes you seem nearer and
we speak so often of our going
home that the time seems
coming near. If it is only two
years more they will soon
pass away. Now I have given
you nearly half an hour so
I must say good-bye for this
time. Take good care of
yourself, and dont study too hard
Your loving sister Hattie.

Letter