Autograph Letter Signed. Three pages, 7" × 9." Norwich. December 5, 1840. Addressed on postmarked integral leaf. The letter reads, in part: "...Having leisure time; for my self gratification, and wit perfect confidence that if not acceptable hey will be pardoned, now seat myself to open a few lines to you ... The political harangue had ceased and it is current among us that Gen. Harrison will fill the presidential chair the next four years, but stop, this is the only subject upon which we disagree and I hope we shall disagree no more .... Religion is at a low ebb. Our meetings cold & dull; but no quarelling. Temperance & Abolition societies are being removed & reformed: A dancing and signing school is in successful operation among us. Yet business is rather slow this week. I attribute this relax, to the cessation of Norwich Institute in a great measure... The students were different but not for the better ... Next Monday I enter upon the office of Pedagogue but “perfect felicity” is not there ... For want of room I must close. Perhaps it would have been more agreeable to you if I had not commenced. If so burn this and forget that it was ever written ..." Some separation and paper loss at folds, 2" tear at upper right repaired with archival tape. Else Good.
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Lucy;
Having leisure time; for my own gratification, and with perfect confidence that if not acceptable, they will be pardoned, I now seat myself to pen a few lines to you.
Presuming that you still take some interest in what is going on here in N. allow me to give you the news &c. The political haranguing has ceased and it is current among us that Gen. Harrison will fill the presidential chair the next four years, but stop, this is the only subject upon which we ever disagreed and I hope we shall disagree no more upon this.
Religion is at a low ebb. Our meetings cold & dull; but no quarrelling.
Temperance & Abolition Societies are being remodelled & reformed. A debating & a singing school is in successful operation among us.
Yet business is rather dull this week. I attribute this relax to the cessation of Norwich Institute in a great measure. You know that makes things lively, yes all branches of business in the Spring of 1840.
As you of course know our term closed last Saturday. Not however as it did last Spring, in all respects.
May I anticipate the question you would next ask; "Did you enjoy yourself as well this, as in the Spring term?" I answer most certainly, not.
Our instructor was as good, yet he was different. The regulations were different & more austere.
The students were different, but not for the better. Some trivial circumstances took place among them which was not pleasant & which perhaps caused some hard feelings. Whereas last Spring all was perfect harmony.
More has probably been accomplished by way of study this Fall than there was last Spring. But you are probably aware that poring over old musty books continually is not what makes life agreeable. What was there wanting last Spring to accomplish this end?
"Variety is the spice of life."
Diversity met here. It often turns aside from the cares & duties incumbent upon human life, does memory, that ever wakeful messenger, bring to my view the scenes in which we then participated.
"Gayly passed the time away
With pleasing changes from day to day,
Ever like a magic spell."
If it was so to you it was the pleasantest school term I ever spent or ever expect to. If I am wrong explain the same, give the reason why it was so did I think I could do it with confidence.
But all that can content myself with thinking that I enjoyed some pleasant yet happy hours in your more than agreeable company. Would that I knew that you enjoyed those hours as well as did I.
But they have passed. May I harbour one fond wish that I may yet spend many hours as pleasantly as I did those. Be this as it may, those already passed, will ever live on memory's brightest pages, associated with but one regret which I will not mention now.
Next Monday I enter upon the office of pedagogue, but "perfect felicity" is not there.
Thank you for your kind wish that I may enjoy happiness although it is not anticipated by me boarding with [Justin?].
Allow me to ask why you joke me about Julia Spencer? Lucy, you know I care not for her other than an indifferent friend. I think perhaps she would make a first-rate agent to transact business for another, but assuredly in love affairs.
If you wish for explanation you can get it.
For want of room I must close. Perhaps it would have been more agreeable to you if I had not commenced it. If so, burn this manuscript that it was ever written. But should you condescend to answer it, you may place implicit confidence in my integrity, and should you admit of it I value [that?] more than praise. What I state may be relied on. Mention your own opinion without reserve.
Ever remain your ever faithful friend,
Edward
Norwich Dec. 5th 1840
Miss Lucy Wheeler
Bangor, N.H.
