The Andrew Wylie Family Letters - Indiana University Bloomington

Elizabeth Louisa Wylie to cousin Jane M. Wylie, Bloomington, Indiana
Glendale Seminary [Ohio]
Friday AM Sept 17 1858
My dear Jen-
When I am about half way down this page, I expect the bell will ring--and then adieu to
this letter for awhile. You will have to put up with a patched letter and I assure you I dont like
patching any more than I do house work, even that would be pleas ant now I think--there’s the bell
–
Patch No 2 -- What have you been doing since I wrote the first patch? I heard a Latin class--and
a good recitation it was too --the next thing in order was recess then I took a lesson of Madame
[Rise?] whom I love as well as ever--took half of “Musette de Nina” whether I shall ever learn to
play it decently is anoth er thing --
You have heard that I have been sick & I was right sick too --homesick & heart sick--you
know those awful feelings--but it is no use giving up to such feelings -- I must make up my mind
now to stay till Christmas--perhaps longer--I don’t know -- I enjoyed Pa [Theophilus Wylie]’s
little visit very much, tho’ it was so short, that I had hardly time to be glad before I was sorry
-- Mag [younger sister Margaret]’s presence is a comfort--but I cannot help thinking how lonely
dear Ma is--& how I want to be with her, but then “God is everywhere” & He is with her -- with
you all & with Him you are safe -- I can feel that “He doeth all things well,” or I could never have
left home again, until obliged to do so -- I am under the greatest obligations to you for the peach
you sent me, and to Redick also for his peaches--I enjoyed them so much. I could not even peel
them, that would have been too extravagant -- We have had peaches but they were poor things by
the side of those you sent.
I am nicely fixed, have a very pleasant room--have two writing classes--one Latin class, one
Zoology--& will have an Arithmetic class. I did have two--but gave them to Mrs Potter till they
could be re-arranged & made three classes -- I shall have some -thing else too I suppose--but
things are not fairly going yet. Presbytery met here & there has been a great deal of confusion.
Miss Jemima & Maggie have not returned yet--they are having fine times in N. York -- Ellen
Foster is here--I like her very much -- Delight Smitser Eva Peirce & Louise M’Clure are back
again - Mary Thomas will soon be here--I suppose--she is to room with Ellen Foster -- And of the
masculine gender who do you suppose is tarrying with us for a short time--who--whiskers & all is
visit ing his sisters -- who but Theodore Read--late of Washington D.C. -- came last night--I dont
know how long he intends staying -- Aggy Gaff gave an oyster supper last night -- he was there &
Mrs M’Ferson, Parke, Mrs Monfort--Dr Monfort is away--Hettie Staube, Ada & Ag, Ellen Foster,
Ella Gaff & myself --
Been here two weeks now & not a single letter by mail yet-- but I got such a nice long one
from Mary [Ballantine] --
Patch No 3 --that I cannot complain--she is my dearest friend, & she is yours too Jen, tho you
wont have it so. I do wish you would have her for your friend You would find her true -- I am so
sorry to hear of dear Anna’s bad health -- How lonely it will seem to them all now--after having
so much company--& then Lizzie & John & Hal being gone will make such a difference. By the
way --have you heard from Hal [Ballantine] yet I shall depend on you to keep me posted
Monday -- From a letter written by Anna Ballantine to Sallie Morrison we hear of Liz C’s
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& Mab B’s marriage -- somewhat aston ished at the matter -- do write & give me full accounts -- I
feel homesick--I always do more so than I need to I believe but I dont give up to it as I did then –
These beautiful days bring back so many pleasant memories -- There’s the dinner bell. Goodbye
again. I love you all dearly--& wish so much to see you.
Lou
Sarah Parke Morrison to Jane M. Wylie, Bloomington, Indiana
Glendale Ohio Sept. 17. 58
Dear Jennie -- We have been having a society meeting tonight, and as I remember your literary
bias as manifested by your conversa tion interspersed with so many pleasing quotations, I wish
you were here to be one of us--would you condescend? I do wish you were here, Jennie. I
know I would enjoy it, you I mean; my sister Maria made me two beautiful and most acceptable
presents --books; Shakspeare and Byron; you can appreciate and I would like to read with you. It
gratifies me to occasionally find one who can feel poetry; a great many persons read it, but why?
and to what purpose! some from curiosity, some to say so (that they have read) some to perform
what they regard as a sort of duty, but Oh how few to enjoy! My dear Anna Ballantine gave me a
book “Selections from W. S. Landon” in which Southey is represented and remarking -- “In what
regards poetry, I should just as soon expect a sound judgement of its essentials from a boatman
or a wagoner as from the usual set of persons we meet in society.” I was glad to see such an
expression; I suppose on the principle that “misery loves company.” I am not now intending
to put myself on a footing with Southey or rather with Landon but there is no harm is there? in
confessing one felt point of resemblance: is there?
Perhaps you never expected to be troubled with my letters again, but you see you are
mistaken; still I do not wish it (the correspondence) to go farther unless such is your desire; but if
it is, and I hope it is, I would like to correspond with you.
We were glad to see Professor Wylie -- It seems quite natural to see Lou and Mag here. I
trust they will be happy.
If you write to me Jen, will you please tell me of my poor little Annie? she cant write now
and I long to hear -- I love her exceedingly. Remember me to all the family and others I regard in
B. I should love to see your sister [Maggie] recently come home. May He who hath touched thy
heart keep thee my friend yours af.
S. P. Morrison
Sept. 28. 1858.
From sheet numbered “1” you will perceive that I had quite an idea of sending you a letter
last week (or week before)--quite an idea--so much of one that I wrote the letter, directed the
envelope, put a head on it, and upon going to town told my sister to “be sure and send that letter”
but she wasnt sure that time and so the letter met my astonished eyes this morning as I opened my
drawer to commence one to somebody else -- I thought that perhaps a letter from you was on its
way to me but now I suppose I shall have to wait longer. Shall I wait in vain?
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