Bartlett, I. Chapin. Letter to father (March 31, 1861)

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Danville March
31st 1861 [March 31, 1861]

Dear Pa -

I was greatly rejoiced yesterday at receiving, after so long a time, a letter from you and much more rejoiced at the hopeful manner in which and the evident good spirits with which you write. From your description of our agricultural prospects, I am led to believe that there [are] is no danger of our starving. And what hinders, but that after your plans shall have been carried out we shall realize a handsome income, for with 60 or 70 head of cattle, your estimate, grazing, it seems to me that no other employment will be more pleasant or profitable. And I wonder that you ever contemplated trusting to the uncertainties of an Illinois farm. What a capital plan it would be for you and Uncle Ves to form a copartnership, in the grazing business, hire Uncle Ramsey's place and turn stock upon the whole. I received the $5 enclosed in your letter. I wrote for the $10 you spoke of in your letter for the purpose of paying Garniss. I wished to know Mr. Gaston's initials for the purpose of writing him to obtain

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me a situation in the south somewhere should prefer Louisiana or Miss. I thought by writing now he would be able to get me one by September, as it would be very injudicious to go south before that time. Do you approve of my plan? if so, let me know in your next. I propose by teaching school about two years, to review all the minor branches of knowledge and gain a more perfect one of the languages. While teaching I will also have ample time to read history and general literature, and last, but by no means least to obtain money enough to make me to prosecute the study of law, which, as I have told you before, is my chosen profession. As to college matters are moving on in the same old way. We seniors are look [looking] forward with the most anxious solicitation to our approaching graduation. All of our class with one or two exceptions will graduate this year. I am happy to say that I now find myself getting along in Latin a good deal better than I expected. It remains to be seen, however, what mark I am to get.

I spoke in chapel again yesterday morning. My subject was "The Decree, and its fulfillment" having reference to Babylon - under this

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subject I introduced a description of the ancient city of Babylon, its palaces, temples, hanging gardens, tasks, etc. Then the Lords wrath against the city on account of her impiety, and his decree that she should be destroyed. Next I described the feast of Belshazzar, and the manner in which the city was taken and partially destroyed by Cyrus while that feast was still going on. Prof McKnight, who has the control of the speaking, complimented me very highly. Thought my descriptions splendid. It took equally as well amongst the boys. I didn't know before I spoke it that I had written any thing extra, for I spent less time on it than on any speech I have before written. Perhaps I can apply the same remark to myself, that a distinguished critic once made concerning shakespeare, (I hope the shades of the latter will forgive me for the comparison) that whenever, he (shakespeare) made [an] [ex] a great exertion to write anything extra, he didn't succeed so well as when he wrote without effort.

Dr. Green left for New York last Friday morning, and will be gone about ten days. We seniors were congratulating ourselves that we would have a good easy time during his absence. But he shivered our hopes by commanding us to commence re-

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viewing Brown and get four lectures a day until he returned. So we have more to do than if he had not gone away. We went through the greater part of Logic, we will not be examined in it. We got merely an outline of the subject, were engaged most of the time in committing definitions, etc. It is too much like mathematics for my mind, which you know is very hostile to anything of the kind. I expect I will like the genuine Logic itself much better, and will give it some attention at some future day.

I received a letter from Aunt [illegible word] last evening. She had just recovered from an attack of chills, she said that she had lately received a "[unclear word: Presbyterian?] paper" - "containing a long obituary of my Aunt Barbara Morris, she died on the 6th of [March] this month at the advanced age of 77 years"

I have written you a long letter, and fancy that you have long since exclaimed [in] "hold, enough" but I am determined that, by sending me [you?] this mammoth paper, you shall be made to realize the truth of the old adage, "[you] I have cut the club [illegible word crossed out] with which to break [your] my own head"

Love to all
Yours affctly [affectionately]
[Chapin scratched out]