Bartlett, I. Chapin. Letter to father (February 27, 1859)

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Danville Feb. 27th 59 [February 27, 1859]

[at top of page] You see our envelope which has just come out. Very pretty thing. You can perceive one of the windows belonging to our room.

Dear Father

Yours of 14th was received sometime ago, but as I had Ma's and Aunt Marys to answer having received them before yours, with this apology I thus begin. The exercises of the 22nd passed off very finely. The speaking was better than usual on such occasions, and it is generally believed that our speakers took "the Horns" I send you a program of proceedings in the morning but have none at present of the evening exercises. I am very sorry indeed to learn through Ma's letter of Nannie's sickness. Hope she is much better by this time. Suppose that the fever had left Covington

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entirely. Mr. & Mrs. Hunter after a visit of two days left yesterday morning. We were of course very glad to see the pleasure was very much increased by receiving through them some cake which neither time nor circumstances could deter us from eating.

All [illegible word] is now here came up on the Saturday train. Will leave for home in the morning. Got a letter from Grand Ma yesterday evening [illegible word] Aunt Betty in which she states that they are all well and very busy. Sends their love to all of you. I stated in the letter to Aunt Mary that I had your letter but did not say the money but I now acknowledge the receipt of it. As to that Latin I am progressing better than I did last month but

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not as well yet as I want to be. We enter a new Latin book tomorrow Tacitus. Have also improved in Greek. Mathematics perhaps no material difference. I would state that I have not attended Bible class which is the case with most of the students that recite to Prof. Cooper - for several Sundays because the room is never comfortable. But on the other hand is the direct road to colds. The reason is because being Sunday Prof. of the fire department does not make his fire sufficiently early to render the apartment warm by the required time. The faculty will do nothing but send the absences home on the report. This morning they had no class at all owing to above circumstances. I expect to attend when the

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weather becomes sufficiently warm. There was a little fight here last week between one of our boarders (Forman) and Sprigg Brent from Paris. The thing originated from some remark Brent had made to some young lady attributing the source of said assertion to Forman. Where upon the latter gentleman met Brent on the street and by insulting epithets led Brent to strike him. When F immediately pulled out a bowie knife and made a lunge at Brents heart but fortunately someone of the students caught his aim and turned the blade not however in time to prevent his vest being cut. The court will perhaps fine Forman $50. The faculty will perhaps not do anything with him as the Doctor being a relation will use his influence. Mr. Hunter will tell you all about me I suppose. So I will abstain father, yours [name crossed out]