Burritt College July 10, 1854

My dearest,

If the mails are as irregular in future as they have been, I will not again address you under the present circumstances. The relations we will sustain will be different from the present. Will not our responsibilities be increased? I dread the labors of the coming week very much. There is a feeling of melancholy connected with all I have to do in connection with the school. I know it is the last time I will be associated with the school as I now am. I am much attached to some of the students. They by their punctual attention to their deauties have won the regard of those less intimately connected with them than I have been. There is perhaps as much talent in college as been at any former time. Among the new students if any deserve the title of genius Messers Betts and Westbrook have it among the boys and Miss E.A. Goodloe among the girls. O you will see all of our pretty girls when you come up and I am shure you will be pleased with them. They quiz me very closely about my letters sometimes, but I have answered causively so far. One of the girls asked me the other day if I was not engaged to be married. I told her yes and had been for a long time, in so jocular a manner that she never suspected anything. There has never been so little talk about any getting married as there has been this session. And when it is spoken of it is in connection with Mr. Ashbruck or Dr. Butis who report says is coming up to the examination. I hope he may not -- not that I have any regard for him more than other good men: but he is sensitive and will feel unpleasant under the circumstances. Rumor says he is coming up to renew his suit, but I can't think so. You say you will not come up till Tuesday. Sister Nan enters into our plans with a great deal of zeal. I told her and Campbell the other day. Nan says you must put up at her house. She will be disappointed if you do not. Shall I not see you till the very time? I must. Perhaps you have heard there is to be a play on Tuesday night which will occupy most of the time. I do not know how we will manage. I want no confusion or show; How will it do for me to be seated in my usual place till the exersises are over and then you come a cross the stair way to me? If you know of a better plan, be shure to suggest it. Perhaps we had better meet at Nan's and come up from there just as you think best.

Do not fail to bring Martha and any others of your friends who may like to come for I am not acquainted with any of them as I am with her. I have never seen your mother. Our relations will be increased in number for I have a large number of relatives. O I will be so dependant upon you when I leave here you will be all to me in Sparta, and I will feel embarassed among your friends till I know them better, for I know they will be forming their opinion of me. I know I shall have Martha and doubt not that I will love all of them. If they are at all like you I shall not try to help it. You have the advantage of me since you are intimately acquainted with every member of our family.

I believe I have not as yet mentioned to you that your letters have been a great means of developing to me your character and every development has served to strengthen my regard for you. I had thought you cool headed and calculating and dignified to a degree that rather awed me -- then inspired love. I supposed your heart was as cold as your head, but I have learned otherwise. Your letters have manifested a warmth of feeling and a depth of sensitivity I had not anticipated at the time of our engagement. You have ever exhibited a degree of excitement somewhat surprising. Your letters never fail to make my heart flutter but it is not a sensation of pain. You have sometimes complained of my letters not being long enough and loving enough. The length I think will compare favorably with yours and if you have not yet found out that I love you "I guess you will some day". I have so many compositions in hands I must not devote any more time to writing now. I expect to hear from you by next mail. Good night! May angels grace thee.

Once more your affectionate

Mary


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

Archivists:
Transcription by Charles Massey.
Image by G. Anne Sloan