1828.
Reading edition
[Extract of Letter from Miss B. C. Robertson to Miss Pierce.]
Savannah, Nov 20, 1882
... Jenny is quite well—she relates four wonders (to our colored folks) which occurred in her travels at the North—1st that water is sold in New York. 2nd the Deaf & Dumb instructed at Hartford—3rd—how she got up and came down such a high place as Pine Orchard—& 4th that she saw a gentleman and lady ascend in a Balloon while she was in New York.
Pl. LII.—The Litchfield Academy Drawn by Dr. Z. S. Webb
269[Letter to Miss Mary Pierce of Litchfield from Fanny Smith Skinner.]
Utica, June 19th 1806
I cannot think my dear Mary of suffering Col: Tallmadge to return without a letter for you, though I have little to add to my late communication by Post, which I trust, will be duly received. In that I gave you a short account of our journey and situation—from the fatigue of the former, I am quite recovered, and have never at any time enjoyed a greater portion of health and animal spirits—In this respect, I have been favor’d beyond all expectation, for I have always made abundant calculation for hours of despondence and gloom, either real or imaginary—But considering circumstances, my mind since I parted from my dear friends, has been unusually serene—It is true, I look back occasionally upon past days, and the hours of luxurious friendship they afforded, with feelings of peculiar tenderness, and not always free from a portion of pain—but I cannot say my dear friend, that it ever amounts to regret or a wish to retrace my steps—no—hitherto my cup of earthly felicity has been as pure as mortals can expect, or indeed ought to wish—I how ever, have but just tasted it, a deeper draught may abate the relish—but Mary, I hope I have done with romance, and can therefore place more reliance upon my present feelings and judgement—these I have as yet no cause to distrust, in respect to the friend, and companion which kind Heaven has alloted me.
... We are not yet in our own house which will surprise you—but promises are not more binding here than in other countries, or Mecanicks more punctual—the house which was engaged to be completed the first of May, is but this week made ready for cleaning, that will be done in a few days, and then I shall begin to put up my goods & chattles—after they are arranged, I should like to introduce you to my house—you shall have my best chamber, and my toilet shall present your eye with a beautiful ornament, that often gives pleasure to my own, from a delightful association of ideas—
Scarce a day passes in which I do not see Susan—this near neighborhood is a great comfort to us both—you would be surprised to see how greatly Susan exerts herself to become a housewife, and that too, an industrious and economical one—and she has the satisfaction to witness her own improvement.... Her home is pleasant, and quite prettily furnished—Her brother and Sister have made her some valuable presents, and selected all her New York purchases—Mr Gold had purchased a wench, which they have the use of, and they 270also keep a little Boy—so you see they have begun in some stile—I am this afternoon going to ride with her to Whitesborough; and must finish my scribbling when I return—I hope to have been settled in my own house before Col. Tallmadge returned that Maria might have been able to give some account of its appearance, but I must relinquish the expectation, for the time they gave to visiting has now nearly, if not quite expired.
Has our dear Sally quite recovered her former health? Do you have pleasant and frequent accounts from James? By the way Mary don’t forget to tell him, that I calculate next summer with the exception of misfortune to see him here with you.... Oh, my dear Mary when I suffer my thoughts long to dwell on you, and a few others of your circle, my bosom swells and my eye fills, but tender, and even painful, as such feelings are, I have no wish to be divested of them.... At present I am all Fanny Smith, not a particle of my interest in my dear Mary abated—Adieu, my dear, rest assured of the love of your
own affectionate
Fanny Smith Skinner.
NOTICE OF SEMI-ANNUAL EXHIBITION. “FEMALE ACADEMY.”
“The Semi-annual exhibition of this School took place on Monday evening last before a crowded and highly delighted audience. The weather was extremely unpleasant, and a melancholy interest seemed to pervade the assembly in sympathy with the leader of the exercises and instructor of the school, who had on that day been called to close the eyes in death of an interesting and beloved son.
The compositions, and the music, previously prepared, were providentially of a character suited to the occasion, exciting nothing like trifling and levity, yet so good as highly to interest and engage the attention of the audience. Some of the pieces read displayed a brilliancy of imagination and a depth of thought rarely exhibited by young school misses.—
Miss M. Wadsworth and Miss J. Seymour, of this town, received diplomas of having completed to the satisfaction of their instructors, the whole course of studies pursued at the Academy.
The first prize was awarded to Miss H. Smith of Hanover, Mass.—prizes were also awarded to Miss J. Reynolds, of N. Y; Miss E. Beman of Troy; Miss G. C. Lindsley of Washington D. C; Miss 271E. Deniston of Blooming Grove, N. Y.; Miss M. Wadsworth, and Wm. Norton.
The evidences of improvement, and of diligent attention to the studies and rules of the school, must have been highly gratifying to the parents and friends of the young ladies. The exhibition of music was good, and gave evidence of much improvement in this polite branch of education. The display of drawings and paintings bore strong marks of improvement and diligence on the part of those who attended to this art. Upon the whole, all the services of the evening gave pleasing evidence that there has been no falling off, either on the part of the instructors or the pupils, connected with this valuable school; and we believe that no previous exhibition ever gave greater satisfaction to the friends of female education.
Copied from Litchfield County Post of April 24, 1828.