Chapter X: Part 10

The inspiring snow storm whistled round,
And Nancy blushes at the sound,
For now pale Sol’s returning ray,
Proclaims how near the nuptial day,
Her bosom beats: she knows not why.
She starts to think the hour so nigh,
When she her plighted vows must pay,
And learn that fearful word, Obey,
The word is not so hard my dear
As our proud sex would make us fear.
When love and friendship tie the band,
Easy the chain, light the command.
Now see her hurrying round the room,
Come Betsy pray put up the broom
The hearth is clear enough I’m sure
Lewis will come in half an hour,
And then that sewing wont be done
There look the sleighs begin to run
I’ll send for Susan right away,
Last year she promised me a day
And Sally too engaged a day,
Norman shall bring them right away,
Now fancy wing thy airy flight,
To where Charles views with wild delight,
The falling snow more swift appear,
And in a bride suit deck the year,
Not half so sweet I hear him say
Is Spring when drest by bloom in May
Not half so sweet are evening showers
That raise the drooping sun-burnt flowers
As this drear storm; they cant impart
Such rapture to a lover’s heart.
Now you’ll see him hurrying down
His sleigh bells heard in every town
Windows are filled, heads at each square
Each wondering much what beau goes there,
Heaven bless you! and may you never know
The sting of sorrow, or the throb of woe
May no dark cloud your shining days o’ercast
But still each sun shine brighter than the last.

[A fragment.]

When tired with dansing I retir’d to rest
My drowsy eyes with wellcome sleep were blest
Me thought my soul had took _her_ last farewell
And now in Paradice had come to dwell
While wondering what kind angel brought me here
The sound of sweetest music reach’d my ear
Such at the Heavenly airs of Paradice
Play’d to departed souls, who freed from vice
Have safe arriv’d upon that blissful shore
Where happiness awaits them ever more
Ye heavenly powers who hear my prayer
Grant me the art to join this heavenly choir
Tis what I never could obtain below—
The music ceas’d and seem’d to answer No
Sighing I make’d the visions disappear
But pleas’d I found the heaven’ly music here

PL. XXXIV.—JANE R. LEWIS

From pencil sketch
]

The young gentleman played on their flutes under the window of each
Lady after they had retired and this was the compliment Sarah paid
them

PARAPHRASE.[63]

Guide me oh Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim thro’ this barren land,
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
Hold me by thy powerful hand,
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.

· · · · ·

Guide our troops oh great Jehovah,
Save this sinful war worn land,
We are weak, but thou art mighty,
Save us by thy powerful hand,
King of Heaven, King of Heaven,
Save us, and we ask no more.

Shield our fathers in the strife
Guard our brothers we implore,
Give them victory, freedom, life,
Drive out all foes, from this shore,
King of Heaven, King of Heaven,
Dry our tears, and hear our prayer.

THE MISSES LEWIS’ DIARY—EXTRACTS FROM COMMONPLACE BOOK. 1820.
JANE LEWIS—HER JOURNAL.

Continuation of Journal for the summer of 1820.

Sunday morning Mr. Beecher preached from Gen. 7th Chap. 1st & 5th,
“And the Lord said unto Noah, come thou, and all thy house into the
ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.”
“And Noah did according unto all the Lord commanded.” In about 15
years God looked upon the earth, and saw there was great wickedness,
and he said “The heart of man is evil continually, every imagination
of man’s heart was evil” and he said “I will destroy man whom I have
created, from the face of the earth, both man & beast & the creeping
things & the fowls of the air for it repenteth me that I have made
them” but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and he said unto
Noah, make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shall thou have made in
the ark & shall pitch it within & without with pitch.” As the ark
saved Noah, so will Christ save all who trust in him. Noah by faith
prepared him an ark to save him from destruction, so also may
Christians prepare the souls of their children from the bonds of
Satan, It has pleased God to prescribe duties to parents & it has also
pleased him to save those who believe on him. At the appointed time
when all needful preparations had been made Noah was directed to enter
with all his family: into the ark: because the Lord had “seen him
righteous before him in that generation” the apostle says that he
“became heir of the righteousness which is by faith, The same
principle which induced him to believe, on the testimony of God, &
contrary to all human probability, that the deluge would come at the
appointed season, led him also, on the same testimony, to expect the
day of judgement & perdition of ungodly men, this moved him to flee
from the wrath to come, as well as to prepare the ark; & as he
believed that, in the ark alone he could be safe during the
approaching deluge; so he doubtless believed the revelation of a
saviour, & sought & expected salvation through him alone. The duty of
God requires that he that exercises faith for his children shall be
saved, Noah exercises faith for not only his children but for all
mankind, he preached 120 years for their salvation but what effect did
it have “God has made provision in the covenant of grace for our
children. Before the deluge Noah’s family was the only one who could
say, I keep thy commandments. What relation should we exercise toward
our children. In order to bring our children to Christ we must first
come to him ourselves “God has mercy on whom he will have mercy” It is
necessary to bring them to a covenant with Christ. The piety of
parents is necessary to bring their children to a peace with God. When
children are in great danger parents who have no religion themselves
may feel interested for the welfare of their children, and when
parents die & have no heavenly comfort, they feel for them & repent if
their past life has not been spent to the salvation of their children.

PL. XXXV.—BEAD BAG MADE BY JANE R. LEWIS, 1829
]

“What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world & lose his own
soul,” heavenly treasures are eternal, but earthly riches are but few
& transient. Happy they who are a part of Christs family, and safe
with him in the ark, they may look forward without dismay, & rejoice
in the assurance that they shall triumph when a deluge of fire shall
encircle the visible creation, but, unless we dare to be singular, &
renounce the favor and venture the scorn & hatred of the world unless
we be willing to submit to self-denial & diligence, we can find no
admission into this ark

Sunday afternoon Mr. Beecher preached from Hosea 10th. 1st, “Isreal is
an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself” Isreal has often
been compared to a vine, but the nation was become an empty vine that
bringeth forth no fruit to perfection. They not only spent their
abundance on themselves but even their apparent good works sprang from
ostentation, or other selfish motives, & not from regard to the glory
& the will of God. We shall consider first that there is a difference
between love & selfishness. We exercise more love to ourselves than to
our neighbours & this is termed selfishness. 2nd. modification of
selfishness is to love to God. God loves his children if we keep his
commandments.

Sunday evening Mr. Brace read a sermon.

Monday we were examined in the third volume of Sacred History and
recited in Modern Europe.

Tuesday sums were given out.—

Wednesday morning recited in Logic and Modern Europe, afternoon I went
over to see Roxana Clark along with Maria C.

Thursday was parsing afternoon, no division beat as several had the
same.—

Friday was examination day.

Saturday Miss Pierce gave us some very good instruction.

Sunday morning Mr. Baldwin preached ... evening I attended conference,
Mr. Baldwin read a letter from Mr. Beecher concerning the revival at
New Haven & delivered an exhortation—

Monday to Saturday nothing particular happened. I attended school and
recited my usual lessons in Logic & Modern Europe—& attended to the
usual occupations of school, mornings & evening’s generally devoted to
study.

Saturday afternoon took a short ride.

Sunday morning I attended meeting heard Mr. Hooker preach—Evening
attended conference—The remainder of the week was spent the same as
usual.

Sunday morning Mr. Beecher preached—Evening Mr. Beecher gave an
account of the revival in New Haven.

Monday was examined in 3rd Vol—of Universal History

Tuesday forenoon recited in Logic & Modern Europe & wrote, afternoon
Mr. Brace gave out sums. I did not have the good luck like others of
my companions to get a sum done—evening took a short walk.

Wednesday was field-day—I had the great pleasure of seeing a Louisania
Parawra or Black Bear—

Thursday was parsing day Miss Rogers division beat—

Friday was examined in Modern Europe, Logic & the Coast.[64]

Saturday my name was called, I cared more for the lecture that I
expected than the miss for ciphering, but it was short, much more so
than I expected.—

Sunday morning Mr. Beecher preached.—evening attended conference.

Monday forenoon recited in Logic & Modern Europe afternoon was
examined in Third Volume of Universal History & spelt.

Thursday took the coast & recited in Logic & Modern Europe.

Wednesday was holiday evening Betsey & Elizabeth both went to walk
with me.

Thursday afternoon were called to parse, our division has beaten twice
this summer. evening Betsey & Elizabeth went with me up to Mr.
Brace’s. We spent the evening very pleasantly with Ann Jones &
Margaret Mix.

Friday morning took the coast & were examined in Modern Europe
afternoon examined in Logic & The Coast, the latter I did not miss in
evening was spent in writing journal & coast.

Saturday the credit marks were taken in & I had about an hundred for
writing etc.

Sunday. Mr. Beecher preached morning & afternoon. Sunday evening I
attended conference

Monday was examined in Chemistry missed three times afternoon in
Modern Europe did not miss.

Tuesday morning finished being examined in Modern Europe & was in
afternoon examined in Universal History.

Wednesday was examined in Universal History all day & missed
considerable.

Thursday was examined in lectures in Astronomy. Philosophy &c. by
having two weeks journal to copy I have missed the wrong weeks
journal, This week I have been attending school & preparing myself for
the general examination

PL. XXXVI.—MARY ANN LEWIS

From pencil sketch
]

Sunday morning attended meeting. Mr. Beecher preached morning &
afternoon. Evening attended conference.

Monday was examined in Chemistry & Modern Europe.

Tuesday was examined in Modern Europe & Universal History.

Wednesday was examined in History.

Thursday in Paley, Philosophy & Logic

Friday in Philosophy, Arithmetic & Rhetoric.

Saturday in Grammar

Sunday Mr. Mills preached

JANE R. LEWIS—EXTRACTS FROM HER COMMONPLACE BOOK.
AN ADDRESS TO THE MOON.

Sweet Moon if like Cretona’s sage
By any spell my hand should dare
To make thy disk my ample page
And write my thoughts my wishes there

How many a friend whose careless eye
Now wanders o’er that starry sky
Would smile upon that orb to meet
The recollection fond and sweet

The reveries of fond regret
The promise never to forget
And all my heart and soul would send
To many a dear lov’d distant friend
ANN M. RICHARDS
NEW YORK

WRITTEN ON THE LATE QUEEN OF FRANCE BY BOUFFLE, ON
HER REQUESTING A SONG ON HER DEFECTS.

Would you know what rumour lays
To charge of Antoinette?
That she is often light it says
Fickle, mad, & a coquette
And is it so?
Oh yes! but know
So nice the line her fancy draws
Her very slights
Create delights
And Cato’s self would smile applause
Sense, it says, her royal head
Does not over burden much,
Adulation too, tis said
Easily her soul can touch;
And is it so?
Oh yes! but know
So well she manages the matter
The Gods on high
Would leave the sky
And come on earth, her charms to flatter
If for business or for pleasure
The hour, by herself be set
One may wait, tis said, her leisure
Tis a trifle to forget,
And is it so?
Oh yes! but know
That when one next beholds her face
All wrongs, adieu!
Delights renew.
And Time flies on with swifter pace—
That “_I_” & “_me_” fill all discourse
And _self_ runs on supremely
Tis said she finds no other source
She loves herself _extremely_
And is it so?
Oh yes! but know
The case is just you’ll find
What blame to prove
That she should love
What’s lov’d by all mankind?
About 1823

PL. XXXVII.—SAMPLER OF MARY ANN LEWIS
]

REV. DR. BEECHER’S DESCRIPTION OF NIAGARA FALLS.

Approaching the falls from Buffalo on the Canadian shore, the first
indication of our proximity to them was a hoarse rumbling, which was
scarcely audible at the distance of four or five miles, but which
opened upon the ear as we advanced, with increasing roar, until at the
distance of three miles, it became loud as the voice of many waters, a
column of mist in the mean time descending as smoke from a pit marked
more definitely than sound could do, the exact position of this scene
of wonders, the sublime arising from obscurity was now experienced in
all its power, it did not appear what we should see, but imagination
seized the moment to elevate and fill the mind with expectation and
majestic dread. Within a mile of the falls the river rolls smoothly
along in rapid silence, as if unconscious of its approaching destiny,
till at once across its entire channel it falls the apparent distance
of 10 or 12 feet, when instantly its waters are thrown into
consternation and foam & boil & whirl & run in every direction, as if
filled with instinctive dread, at this place the shore recedes, and
allows the terrific waters to spread out in shallows over an extent
twice as broad as the natural channel of the river—A portion of the
waters as if hoping to escape, rushes between the American shore and
the island, (whose brow forms a part of the continued cliff which on
either side constitutes the fall), and too late to retreat discovering
the mistake hurries down the precipice and is dashed on the rocks
below. This is the highest part of the fall, and broadest, nearly
approaching to the beautiful; the waters being shallow and the sheet
entirely white below.

Another large sheet of contiguous water on the other side of the
island undecoyed by appearances and apparently desperate by an
infallible premonition, attempts no evasion, but with tumult & roar,
rushes on and thunders down the precipice which stretches about half
across to the Canadian shore. The rest and the largest portion of the
river, as if terrified by the fate of its kindred waters, retires a
little but scarcely is the movement made before the deep declivities
of the river’s bed summons the dispersion of waters into one deep dark
flood which rolls its majestic tide upon the destruction below. The
shallow waters, which as yet have escaped, cling terrified to the
Canadian shore, reconnoitering every nook and corner in quest of some
way to escape, but their search is fruitless, and they come round at
length reluctantly, and are dashed upon the death they had so long
struggled to escape.

It is at the junction of these two sides of the cataract, nearly in
the form of two sides of a triangle, rounded at the point, that the
most powerful sheet of water falls. The depth of the water in the
channel above & as it bends over the precipice cannot from the nature
of the case be ascertained. I should judge from the appearance that it
might be from 15 to 20 feet—The color of the part of the stream is
black, as it bends over the cliff and descends, at the intersection of
the two sides and for several rods on either hand it becomes a deep
and beautiful green which continues till the column is lost in the
cloud of mist that ascends before it. With respect to the impression
made by the view of the falls, it may be observed that whoever
approaches them anticipating amazement at the descent of the water
from a giddy height will be disappointed. It is the multitude of
waters and their power as they roll & foam & thunder which arrests the
step, suspends the breath, dilates the eye, lifts the hand and fills
the soul with wonder. It seems to be the good pleasure of God that men
shall learn his omnipotence by evidence addressed to the senses as
well as the understanding & that there shall be on earth continued
illustrations of his mighty power, of creation, we ascertain by faith
& not by sight; the heavenly bodies though vast and distant roll
silently in their courses. But the earth by its quakings, the volcano
by its fires, the ocean by its mountain waves and the floods of
Niagara by the majesty of their power and ceaseless thunderings
proclaim to the eye & to the ear & to the heart the omnipotence of
God. From their far distant sources & multitudinous dispersions He
called them into the reservoirs of the North & bid them hasten their
accumulating tide to this scene of wonders, & for ages the obedient
waters have rolled and thundered his praise. It is as has been stated,
where the two lines of the precipice meet, that the deepest and most
powerful sheet of water falls, but it is here also, just where the
hand of Omnipotence is performing its greatest wonders that the
consummation of the work is hid. What the phenomena are when the
stupendous torrent strikes at the foot of the falls, no mortal eye
hath seen, a mist rising to nearly half the height of the fall, is the
veil beneath which the Almighty performs his wonders alone, and there
is the hiding of his power. This is the spot upon which the eye
wishfully fixes and tries in vain to penetrate, over which the
imagination hovers, but cannot catch even a glympse to sketch with her
pencil. This deep recess is the most sublime and awful scene upon
which my eye was ever fixed. There amid the thunderings & in solitude
& darkness, from age to age Jehovah has proclaimed, I am the Almighty
God.

In beholding this deluge of created Omnipotence the thought, how
irresistible is the displeasure of God, rushes upon the soul. It
requires but a little aid of the imagination to behold in this
ceaseless flow of waters, the stream of his indignation which shall
beat upon the wicked in the gulf below the eternal pit, & in the cloud
of exhalations, the smoke of their torments which ascendeth up forever
& ever. And nothing but the warbling of unearthly voices seems
necessary to make one feel that hell and destruction is uncovered
before him.

PL. XXXVIII.—LOUISA C. LEWIS

From pencil sketch
]

With these associations, all is dark and terrific & dreadful, till
from the midst of this darkness and these mighty thunderings the bow,
brilliant type of mercy, arises, and spreads its broad arch over the
agitated waters, proclaiming that the Omnipotence which rules the
stream, is associated with mercy as well as with justice.

LOUISA C. LEWIS—EXTRACTS FROM HER COMMONPLACE BOOK.

IN IMITATION OF THE SONG “WHEN SHALL WE THREE MEET AGAIN.”

O when shall we two meet again?
With cheerful heart, with welcome smile,
And all the past
With woe o’ercast
Forget to taste of bliss the while

O when shall we two meet again?
And all the promised pleasure know
Which hope to cheer
My pathway drear
Afford, this heart where’re I go

O when shall we two meet again?
The look the well known voice to greet
And free from care
Together share
Our walks, again, by moonlight sweet.

Shall cruel fortune prove our foe
And time with lingering steps detain
Shall years go by
Nor hasten nigh
The hour when we shall meet again.

Shall sorrow spread her gloomy cloud
And hope deferred, my bosom pain
Shall absence prove
A chill to love
E’er you and I shall meet again

But if stern fate, this joy deny
And our fond wish should prove but vain.
Beyond the sky
May you and I,
In bliss immortal meet again.

THE BANTAM.

I’ve seen old Hudson’s swelling pride,
As on he rush’d to meet the ocean.
No Storms then lash’d his solemn tide,
No dashing waves made wild commotion
But pine crown’d cliffs & tall trees waving green,
Frown’d o’er the flood, the guardians of the scene.

I’ve seen Connecticut’s fair wave,
Still as it went forever smiling;
While the tall corn its bright green gave,
The river’s darker hue beguiling:
Rich are thy fields thy skies forever shine;
“Nor drinks the sea, a lovelier wave than thine.”

But still there is a dearer stream,
Tho’ on its breast no white sails bearing;
Tho’ rough its rock, and cold its beam,
And brown the leaves its trees are wearing
For in that stream’s white foam when life was young
I thoughtless play’d, nor dreamt of future wrong
J. P. BRACE

1820.
ALTERATIONS FROM COPY OF RULES OF JULIA SEYMOUR—1820.

17th. Every person is forbidden to tell or be told in lesson.

QUESTIONS.

Been neat in your chambers?
Combed your hair?
Cleaned your teeth?
Left anything out of place?
Been present at table?
At family prayers?
Been to bed at the proper time?
Rose in season?
Studied two hours without speaking?
Disturbed others? Been angry?
Been impolite? Told an untruth?
Wasted time in school?
Mis-spent the Sabbath?
Read in the Scriptures?
Borrowed or lent?
Hurt the feelings of anyone?
Studied your lesson at the proper time?
Known any fault which you should have informed of?
Taken or read any book without permission?

PL. XXXIX.—EMBROIDERY OF LOUISA C. LEWIS
]

Speaking or moving once without permission, or with, will take off the
extra—and more than once will give ¼ of a miss. Two hours holy day
lost for noise. 30 credit marks lost for homesickness.

MISS SARAH PIERCE, Principal.
MR. JOHN P. BRACE, Assistant.

(A definition of politeness). Persons truly polite will treat their
superiors with respect and deference; their equals with affability and
complaisance. They will never smile at the mistakes of those who may
be more ignorant than themselves; will never make sport of the faults
or follies of their companions, much more at their misfortunes, but
will on all occasions treat others as they would be themselves. They
will never be boistrous or rude in their manners, will never talk or
laugh loud, will avoid all vulgar and profane words as mean and
sinful. They will never consider loud laughter as a mark of wit; or
romping as indicative of sprightliness.

1821.
SARAH KINGSBURY’S COPY OF RULES OF THE LITCHFIELD ACADEMY.

(1) You are expected to rise early and be drest neatly, to exercise
before breakfast and to retire to rest when the family in which you
reside desire you to and you must consider it a breach of politeness
if you are requested a second time to rise in the morning or retire in
the evening.

(2) You are requested not only to exercise in the morning but also in
the evening sufficiently for the preservation of health.

(3) It is expected that you never detain the family by unnecessary
delay either at meals or family prayers; to be absent when grace is
asked at table or when the family have assembled to read the word of
God and to solicit His favour discovers a want of reverence to His
holy name a cold and insensible heart which feels no gratitude for the
innumerable benefits received daily from his hand.

(4) It is expected as rational and immortal beings that you read a
portion of the scripture both morning and evening with meditation and
prayer, that you never read the word of God lightly or make use of any
scriptural phrase in a light manner.

(5) It is expected that you attend public worship every Sabbath unless
some unavoidable circumstance prevent which you will dare to offer as
a sufficient apology at the day of Judgment.

(6) Your deportment must be grave and decent while in the house of God
and you must remember that all light conduct in a place of worship is
offensive to well bred people and highly displeasing to your Maker and
Preserver.

(7) The Sabbath must be kept holy no part of it wasted in sloth
frivolous conversation or light reading. Remember dear youth that for
every hour, but particularly for the hours of the Sabbath you must
give an account to God.

(8) Every hour during the week must be fully occupied either in useful
employment or rational amusement while out of school: two hours must
be employed each day in close study and every hour during the week
must be fully occupied.

(9) No person must interrupt their companions either in school or the
hours devoted to study by talking, laughing, or any unnecessary noise.

(10) Those hours devoted to any particular occupation must not be
devoted to any other employment. Nothing great can be accomplished
without attention to order and regularity.

(11) The truth must be spoken at all times, on all occasions though it
might appear advantageous to tell a falsehood.

(12) You must suppress all emotion of anger and discontent.
Remembering how many blessings God is continually bestowing upon you
for which he requires not only contentment, but a cheerful temper.

(13) You are expected to be polite in your manners, neat in your
person and room, careful of your books and cloths, attentive to
economy in all your expenses.

A DEFINITION OF POLITENESS.

Persons truly polite will treat their superiors with respect and
deference and their equals with affability and complaisance. They will
never be boistrous or rude in their manners will never talk or laugh
loud will avoid all vulgar and profane words as both mean and sinful.
They will never consider loud laughing a mark of wit or romping
indicative of sprightliness. They will never smile at the mistakes of
those who may happen to be more ignorant than themselves, will never
make reports of the fault and failures of their misfortunes, but will
on all occasions treat others as they would have others behave to
them.

(14) Talebearing and scandal are odious vices, and must be avoided:
neither must you flatter your companions by remarks on their beauty,
dress or any slight accomplishment in order to increase their vanity.

(15) While you are forbidden to report things to the disadvantage of
your companions, you are at the same time requested to inform one of
your teachers if you know of any conduct deserving of reproof not from
malice but a true friend lest the fault should become a habit too
strong to eradicate in future.

(16) Every person is bound to conform to the rules of the family where
she resides. She must never go out of an evening without the
permission of the heads of the family where she resides, read no
books, engage in no amusements without their knowledge and
approbation.

(17) Speaking or moving once whether with or without liberty will take
off the extra and more than once will give ¼ of a miss. Two hours
holiday lost for noise in the same week will take off 30 credit marks.

(18) Every person is forbidden to tell or be told in their lessons.

The course of study prescribed for those who wish to take degrees will
consist of the following branches—

Morse’s Geography, Webster’s Elements English Grammer, Miss Pierce’s
History, Arithmetic through Interest, Blair’s Lectures, Modern Europe,
Ramsey’s American Revolution, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Paley’s
Moral Philosophy, Hedge’s Logic and Addision on Taste.

If any person wishes to obtain the last honors of the school it will
be necessary for them to have finished this course, and to have
accomplished it in order. Should any person wish to study any of these
branches to the exclusion of the rest they are at liberty to do it but
they will be considered as having declined being candidates for the
degree.

The candidates must answer 8/9 of their questions in all branches in
General Examination. They must at no time have lost their whole
holiday and in order to ascertain this they must have credit mark.
They must never have lost more than one hour of their holiday for the
same result in their certificate, must never have lost 3 hours holiday
for noise and must have to be shown at the close of the school three
months journal or eight dissertations.

1822.
MARY L. WILBOR (MRS. STONE)—EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY.

_Litchfield May 28^{th} 1822_

Went this morning to visit the remains of the once lovely and
interesting Miss Helen Peck who died yesterday after a severe illness
of five weeks. Went to her father’s house this P. M. but as I could
not get a seat returned home quite disappointed—do not feel in very
good spirits. Went down to the Bantam last evening. Misses Austin,
Perkins, and myself fell into the water. going to B. met a poor little
boy who was an idiot, who was very interesting. I ought to be very
thankful my life and reason are spared me! and may I make a good use
of these great blessings! ... Mr. Brace read dissertations today, and
Miss Austin’s was pronounced the best. I am very glad, for I think she
deserves all the praise that is bestowed upon her. She possesses quite
a talent for writing; and expresses herself very handsomely. Mr. B.
read one of his own compositions, which was elegantly written. Shall
be almost ashamed to present mine to him but my turn will not come
until week after next, and I will not anticipate evil.... It thunders
& lightens very vividly & loudly, but the bell rings and I must go to
church, for I expect Dr. Beecher will be very eloquent, for he is very
much interested. Half past 8. Was just ready for church when Miss
Shelton brought me my letters but was so much overjoyed I could not
go.

_Wednesday._

Miss Pierce is expected this afternoon and I hope she will come, for
the whole household will be very glad to see her. ½ past 6. P. M. An
old man is now here with pictures at which we look with a perspective
glass, which improves them very much and renders them very interesting
but they would be much more so if some of the scenes were from our own
country, for he had none of American scenery, but as he is an
_Englishman_ it is perfectly natural that he should be fond of showing
his country in as favorable a light as possible. I had twelve credit
marks for doing one sum in Reduction.... Went upon prospect hill with
Misses Averill, Brace, Buell, & Clarke and had a very pleasant walk.
There is a most delightful prospect from prospect hill. We went upon
echoing rock, it is astonishing how long we can hear the echo—I like
Miss Buell very much. She is very polite and obliging. She is from
Burlington Vermont, a niece of Mrs. Lynde Catline of New York. I hope
I shall have the pleasure of seeing her at our house when she comes to
New York to visit her aunt.

PL. XL.—FROM A WATER-COLOR BY AMELIA LEWIS
]

On our return home we found Miss Pierce had arrived from Boston. Miss
Brace received good news from her friends. I am very glad for she is
quite homesick, and I hope the letter will serve to dispel it a
little. I went to the Post Office with Miss Averill but we did not go
in, for it was very much crowded with gentlemen. I do not think it is
quite proper for us to go to the postoffice so often but still
continue going! May 30^{th}, arose at a quarter past six and exercised
before breakfast which will entitle me to an extra.

Miss Pierce entertained us at breakfast with an account of Cambridge
college also a singular gothic chair which was presented by some one
in England to the college. I _know_ I shall be happy this summer I
like Miss Pierce very much and I am sure she will do everything in her
power to render me so. Spent the afternoon in Martha Denison’s room
with Miss Perkins. Martha read aloud in “The Son of a Genius” by Mrs.
Holland a very interesting book which is written in a pure and concise
style.... We do not recite rhetoric for it is the day set apart for
parsing. Miss B. has left our house for that of Dr. Sheldon, probably
because her friend Miss A boards there and she always appeared
dissatisfied but that probably proceeded from her never having been
from home much. It certainly could not be that she did not receive
sufficient attention for Miss Mary was very kind and did everything in
her power to amuse her—

...On my return from the post office, took a long walk with Miss
Austin. I think I like her better than any young lady that boards at
Miss Pierce’s. She is possessed of a superior mind and I think has
paid some considerable attention to the cultivation of it.... We met
no other person that we knew except D. B. who is the most unpleasant
creature I ever knew....

Do not expect any letters to-night for the mail does not come from
_dear_ New York on Fridays. 25^{th} Miss Pierce wishes us to speak
dialogues or short pieces but I do not wish to and hope she will not
insist upon it.... We have just received the heart rending account of
the loss of the packet-ship Albion Capt. Williams, of New York, bound
for Liverpool. Among those that perished was Mr. Fisher professor of
Mathematics in Yale College. Mr. F. was engaged to Miss Catherine
Beecher, and his untimely end is severely felt and greatly deplored.
After having undergone all terrors, and supposing themselves out of
danger, and even in sight of land, it was indeed awful, not only to
have all _hope_ dashed to pieces at a blow, but the “boon of life”
taken suddenly away.

_June 2^{nd} 6. P. M._

Attended church all day. The weather was very unpleasant. Dr. Beecher
prayed very affectionately for Mr. Fisher and all on board the Albion
who found a watery grave.... Missed only ¼. ½. in all my morning
lessons. Wrote a dissertation this forenoon On the uses of history, a
subject on which I have had but a few ideas. Misses Reeve, Tufts, Mrs.
& Miss Lord took tea with us—H. Buell & myself went home with Miss
Lord. We had great sport.... Mr. Brace had all his bugs to school this
P. M. he has a great variety, two were from China, which were very
handsome, almost all the rest were of Litchfield descent, and he can
trace their pedigree as far back as when Noah entered the ark. Spoke
to Mr. B. of Aunt Julia. He recollected her perfectly, said he thought
her very beautiful.... Miss Austin has a great deal of humour but her
spirits are easily depressed. I should like to fathom the character of
my bedfellow Miss Buell for I think her a singular girl, she has a
singular peevishness of temper which is very unpleasant; I do not know
but that is her only fault, for she is a very pleasant companion, and
that excepted she is a very agreeable girl.

Miss Austin has just come in and being in very high spirits she makes
so much noise it is impossible to write.

Wrote to aunt J. the dearest aunt I have, also the dearest friend.

Anna Maria Perkins of Ohio also sleeps in the room with us, she is a
very good companion and peculiarly amiable.

6^{th} June—Arose before six o’clock, made my bed, swept my room,
which will entitle me to an extra.

_Thursday._

Have this day commenced learning “Robin Adair,” hope I shall be able
to play it soon. This is examination day and I have many long and hard
lessons to recite. We think of going to Canaan tomorrow. If it is
pleasant we shall go at six o’clock in the morning. I do not know who
will accompany me, but I think Miss Austin and two Misses Tufts, we
had expected the pleasure of the company of Miss B. and Miss P. but
Miss B. will go when her friends come, and Miss P. will not go for
reasons unknown. I do not think it quite polite in her to refuse to go
when she knows that the pleasure of the party depends in a great
measure on her accompanying us, but mum! I fear I am often, too often
guilty of more impolite conduct but

PL. XLI.—FROM A PAINTING BY AMELIA LEWIS
]

“The faults of our neighbors with freedom we blame
We tax not ourselves, though we practise the same.”

If Miss _Emily Addis_ will furnish us with a small, or rather, a large
quantity of eatables to carry with us (for we intend staying all day)
we shall go in great style.... Went down to Mr. Brace’s to see Miss
Betts on so important a subject as our trip to Jubilee from Mrs. B’s
we went to Mr. Lord’s to get Mrs. B’s permission for Miss B to
accompany us—and from there M. Denison and myself returned to Mr. B’s,
from there we went to the drivers to give divers other directions, and
after having thus settled all necessary preliminaries to our _each
every_ and _either_ satisfaction we have once more returned to the
North Turret of St. Pierce’s Castle. We were in high spirits this P.
M. Miss Denison was Caroline Wilhelmina and I was her cousin Edwin,
just returned from Europe. I gave Caroline an invitation to accompany
me to the Theatre. She in her character of Caroline is very
_interesting_ but very _ignorant_. We dressed accordingly; M. Austin
was the actress. She was in a graceful kneeling posture, I said
“encore” Caroline had one of her _wise_ looks, when happening to look
up I saw Miss Pierce standing in the door, a silent spectator of the
farce before her. We felt rather awkward, but Miss Pierce dispelled it
very soon by one of her good natured laughs.... June 10^{th} W. has
just returned from New York. She is not so very unpleasant as she has
been represented to me. As I expected she is rather affected but she
may possess many good qualities which I hope we shall discover to her
advantage. Went down to the Bantam to day Misses Austin & Beebe in
search of mint.... Went on board-[walk] a great place of resort for
the _fashionables_....

The bell rings for nine. I must bid you “good night” my dear Mama,
although you cannot hear me.

June 22^{nd} 5 o’clock At six we go to Canaan. I expect the carriage
every moment. My “companions at arms” are Misses Denison, Austin, and
Misses M and S. Tufts, & Miss Weyman.

½ past 7. We have just returned from Canaan. It is between twenty and
thirty miles from L. the road passes through a delightful country. We
sang most of the time some of the tunes were Mary’s Fears, Blue-eyed
Mary, Love’s young dream, There’s nothing true but Heaven. Happiness
seemed to reign over our little party & was never expelled, excepting
some of the party were a little sick, and this sickness seemed to flee
away when we were singing.

In some places we had the distant view of a little village, at others
the hills appeared to rise one above another and behind some of [?]
the spire of a church could be indistinctly seen.

When we arrived at Canaan we proceeded immediately to the falls. The
bed of the river (the Housatounoc) appeared composed of one solid
stone which was almost flat. The river was so low that in some places
there would be perhaps 15 feet of the rock which would not be
overflowed. The view of the falls was the most grand that I ever saw.
The water does not fall perpendicularly over the rocks but in a
sloping direction.

The falls are 60 feet in height. We wandered about some time and then
returned to the carriage to dine. we all scrambled into it with
sharpened appetites. After dining, we after great difficulty provided
ourselves with fishing apparatus, but did not succeed as we expected
for not one of the party caught a single fish. We wandered about
sometime admiring the romantic scenery, until by the length of our
shadows we perceived it was time to return to our abode. On our ride
home all the fields were covered with ivy, and Barnes [Hiram?] our
driver decked the horses and carriage with them. At length, without
accident we arrived at Miss Pierce’s very much fatigued but in high
spirits. Where Miss Weyman found a letter from her mother who resides
in Jamaica.

Examination day has again returned and of course I am very much
engaged, but Mamma’s letter made me almost sick for she thinks me
_homesick_ but really am not, when I am in good health which is the
case at present. I succeed tolerably well with my music and can play
Robin Adair with much _grace_ and dignity.

Mr. Hurlburt wishes me to reserve a corner of my letter and Miss Mary
must have another to assure Mamma of my _industry_, application, and
attention to my studies.

15^{th} Today we choose seats according to the number of credit marks
that we have. I had 93 credit marks and one “extra.”

I have just heard from my old acquaintance Harriet Seelye of Cherry
Valley. She is cousin to Miss Shelton, an amiable, pleasant,
intelligent young lady who has lived in New York for a number of years
last past. Miss Shelton’s mother is sister to Mrs. Seelye. Lorenzo
Dow, The famous Methodist preacher, is to preach in Mr. Jones’ meeting
house this evening. I have a violent curiosity to see him, but I fear
it would not be proper for me to go.

Went to the Lodge Library with Miss Frances Smith.... Just returned
from a visit to Misses Betts & Shelton where Miss Perkins and myself
spent a very pleasant evening. Miss Pierce has come for the candle and
says she fears we shall lose our extras in the morning for early
rising.

PL. XLII.—FROM A COLORED DRAWING BY AMELIA LEWIS WHILE AT THE SCHOOL
]

... It is again Saturday and a most delightful day. Miss Austin and
myself have just come to school P. M. Dr. Beecher delivered to us a
very affecting address, and I hope we shall profit by his advice.

... The text this P. M. was “Pray without ceasing” Dr. Beecher was
unusually eloquent he appears very much engaged in the “good cause.”
His church is increasing very much and great attention is paying to
Religion and every one appears interested and a great many meetings
are held every week. Miss Buell, Miss Perkins and myself went to take
a walk after dark and left Miss Austin at home all alone.

After our return Miss P. and myself went to a meeting which is
attended every Sabbath evening at our schoolhouse, but the room was so
crowded we could not get seats. So we returned to our house, Miss P.
to her writing and I to the studying of my lesson in history for
tomorrow.

Tuesday. This P. M. Mr. Brace will propose a sum and I fear it will be
very difficult. All those that study Blair are under the necessity of
writing figures which is very difficult. Mine were left until the last
and of course they were pretty well selected, for it is Mr. B’s rule
to leave the best until the last.

... Mr. B. read figures yesterday and he selected five from the
parcel, as being selected with the most taste and judgment, and I had
the pleasure to perceive that mine was among the “priveleged few.”

I have engaged to keep the paper this week which I fear I shall find
rather a difficult task. Mr. Brace was passing my desk and saw my
journal. he said he had kept one since 1806. I should think it might
be very interesting.

Mr. B reads subjects for dissertations, for the week in which I am
appointed the subject is “The causes of dreams” which I think a very
easy subject.

We have the pleasure to have the company of little Mary Brace, as she
is not more than 2 years old, I presume she does not attend school
with an idea of improvement.

_July 4, 1822._

46 years have elapsed since the banners of Independence were raised
over the shores of America. and about 17, years since General
Washington departed this life for the land of spirits there to receive
a crown of far greater splendour than that would have been if he had
accepted, or rather, taken, that of the United States of America—We
were sweetly serenaded by B. & S. and L as we suppose but we were so
very unfortunate as not to hear it. When Miss Mary told us of it this
morning we were quite astonished that we could be so stupid as not to
hear it. It must have been quite _romantic_, for I never saw a more
delightful evening.

This morning was ushered in by the ringing of the bells of the two
churches and that of the court house (which sounds very much like the
gaol bell of New York.) and a _clashing_ of fifes & drums, guns &c.
Miss A. and myself were invited to a party at Mr. J. P. Brace’s and we
hope to accept the polite invitation.

_July 5^{th}_ We attended the party last evening and were rendered
quite happy by the kind exertions of Miss Betts and Mr. B. who were
very attentive and polite. It consisted of about 60 young ladies all
of whom were from our school and about 16 gentlemen. B. D. came home
with me I think I formed my judgment quite too hastily of him for I
think him very intelligent. My friend Martha A. wished me to change my
opinion and as I think I was prejudiced against him I think it was my
duty.

Poor Mr. B. being Captain is very hoarse with the great exertions he
made yesterday in the commanding of his troops. An oration was
delivered yesterday at the meeting house by a Mr. Sandford. As Mr. B.
engaged to _shoot_ any fair damsel that was seen on the green, and as
we supposed the house would be uncomfortably full, none of the young
ladies of our house attended. (_The writer of this was called away
suddenly by family misfortunes and left by stage for Albany._)

Mr. S. promised to come to-night and bring his flute and Miss Mary
says he will come “if he is alive,” I am very busy packing my
cloathes. My sudden departure seems to affect almost every one. A
gentleman is going in the stage to Albany tomorrow and I fear I _must_
go under his protection but I sincerely hope not.

_August 29^{th}_ I left Litchfield and all its dear inhabitants on the
morning of the 21^{st}. The eve. before Mr. S. brought his flute and
played while we accompanied him with the piano. Those present were
Miss Mary and S. Pierce Miss &c. and Mr. Brace.

In the night we were awoke by music which appeared to be very near us.
we instantly arose and found it to be Messrs. Loring, Burgess and
Sullivan with flutes which were played with much skill and sweetness.
But all the pleasures of Litchfield could not render it possible for
me to remain there and in the morning I took my melancholy departure.

In the stage were a Dr. Goodsell Mr. Waters of Charleston Mr. Hall and
his mother of Columbia. When we arrived at Norfolk where we changed
horses we were joined by a company of boisterous Dandies but our
carriage, not being sufficiently large to carry both parties they
proceeded in a separate stage. We were not annoyed by them at all—but
they made a great noise—When we stopped to dine they appeared to have
received a renovation of _spirits_—but they had not gone far before
they broke their carriage which detained us so much that we did not
arrive at Albany until about 8 o’clock. We staid there until the next
day at 4 o’clock when we left there for Utica. A Mr. Brown of Auburn
was one of our company and was very polite to me. We went to
Schenectady that evening and left there at 3 in the morning. In one of
the stages was Mr. C. Kirkland who paid me much attention. We arrived
at Utica about sunset and after calling a moment on Aunt B. I went to
New Hartford with Mr. Mrs. and Miss Marie Lyon who came to join Miss
Rossiter, and in the morning went with F. Hurlbut to see my dearest
Mamma.

(Written by M. L. W. in 1822 at the age of sixteen)

1825.
MARY PECK—HER ALBUM.

The name of Mary W. Peck occurs in the list of pupils for the year 1811, and is placed among that of the teachers for the year 1825 as instructor of drawing. She was the step-daughter of Dr. Abel Catlin, and lived with him in the Frederick Deming house. She married Edward D. Mansfield, whose account of his coming to Litchfield to study law is given earlier in this book. That he found something there to study besides law is evident.

Mr. Mansfield gave Miss Peck an album on January 8, 1825, which is filled with a large collection of delicate paintings showing great skill in the use of her brush, with many locks of the hair of her friends, arranged ingeniously and tastefully, and with extracts or original articles written by friends, many of them noted residents of Litchfield.

The following are the autographs in the Album of Mary W. Peck:

Catherine Beecher
Mary H. Bishop, New Haven.
Mary F. Beecher
Mr. Thomas C. Perkins
H. Beecher (Henry Ward Beecher)
John P. Brace
Lucy E. Brace
H. Buel
F. Bronson
Louisa W. Bishop, New Haven.
Dr. Abel Catlin
Flora Catlin
Mary Catlin
Geo. Catlin
George Younglove Cutler
Mary Deming
Lucretia Deming
Charles Deming
W^m Deming
H. W. Delafield
Charles Davies West Point, May, 1827.
J. G. (James Gould)
Julia Gould
James R. Gould
Edward S. Gould
Geo. Gould
Henry G. Gould
Sally M. C. Gould
H. Holmes
Uriel Holmes
Stephen T. Hosmer, Judge Superior Court, Connecticut.
John P. Jackson, New Jersey.
Mary Lord
E. A. Lord
M. E. Landon
John R. Landon
N. Landon
Ann Elizabeth Landon
B. H. Langdon
M. A. Lewis
Jane R. Lewis
L. C. Lewis
E. W. Leavenworth Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Anna Marr Providence, Rhode Island
A. C. O. or A. C. V.
Clarissa Perkins
Henry A. Perkins President Bank, Hartford, Connecticut.
John Pierpont, poet.
Sarah Pierce (original poems)
J. Pierce
Mary Pierce
Lucy Parmelee
A. V. Parsons, Massachusetts.
W^m N. Peck
H. H. Riddel
E. Reeve (and Judge Reeve’s hair)
W^m Sheldon
Dr. Sheldon
Jane E. Shedden
Mary Smith
E. C. Stiles
David C. Sanford, New Milford Judge Superior Court, Connecticut.
Origen S. Seymour Judge Superior Court Connecticut
Henrietta S. Seymour (Mrs. G. C. Woodruff)
Benjamin Tallmadge, Colonel, Revolutionary Army.
M. Tallmadge
Susan Tracy
Oliver Wolcott, Governor,
S. W. Wolcott Connecticut.
H. H. Wolcott
E. Wolcott
M. G. Wolcott
Frederick Wolcott

PL. XLIV.—BANTAM LAKE, WITH POEM BY MR. BRACE

From Album of Mary Peck
]

EXTRACTS.

DEAR MISS MARY PECK

I hardly know in what manner to comply with your kind request that I
would insert in this beautiful Album a specimen of my handwriting and
signature. I find it nearly filled with fine drawings and Poetical
effusions which illustrate the elegant accomplishments of yourself and
your numerous friends. It would be vain for me to attempt to rival so
much excellence. Though I delight to peruse the works of the great
Masters of human intellect yet I am no Poet.

At the present time and before my old eyes the _aspect of nature has
faded_ and I live chiefly in the recollection of Scenes that _have
passed_. I however cherish a constant & firm belief of the future
Glories which await my beloved Country and especially of their full
accomplishment in the fertile regions of the American Hesperia.