Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[written] p. 14

[typed] Sunday - June 28 - '96

we wake up, & the evening is my only chance to read. Have not quite finished "The Diamond Necklace " yet - was very glad to come across it as I was very misty about that incident of the Fr. Rev. Is Carlyle partisen in his treatment of it? Even if he is I gather a very clear idea of the affair from his striking account. He makes you understand a thing as if you were an actual observer of such a case speculating, moralizing & forming your own opinions as you look, or do I cheat myself, are they his opinions he so subtely makes your own? As soon as I finish the N___, I am going to read Pendennis - your copy that Gertrude has lent me. My impressions of Erasmus you have revived, as my only acquaintance with him was in the Education I course a year ago where I met him as a Humanist educational leader. I shall hope to read the Harper's story as soon as I get back to college where there are magazines. What a pity you are having such uncomfortable weather - the days here are cool and breezy now. I wonder with you as to how I might like Cazeuoria, I have such a vivid impression of its gossiping, conventionality, its handfull of freakish grotesque characters, its butterfly processions of summer people, and its beautiful natural setting that I am quite curious as to whether I am mistaken or not. I generally have toward people that I hear many bad things about and who have a few good qualities quite a leaning, or at least a tacitern way of sticking up for them;probably it would be the same way with Cazinovia, I might like it very much at first and find it beautiful and interesting but if I should have to stay there a long time I know I should hate it for I should hate to live in a place where I couldn't get at least a whiff of a broad, free, active life where people are working & doing something, and where you can get some higher progressive life, & know & be associated with people of high progressive thought, & hear fine music and see goo plays - even if you have to get a third balcony seat at the theater. Gertrude came down for a last little glimpse Friday evening - she looked very tired but I hope her trip will greatly revive her instead of wearying her the more. Theodora and I were dressing to go over to Mrs. Might's for a little evening to meet a Mr. & Mrs. Jackson - bride & groom from Malta - so the glimpse of Trudie wasn't very satisfactory as I was so taken up with Rose Payne & the way she looked. The evening was a jolly one - playing an observation's game - I helped Mrs. W. at the tasting table - for it was progressive - so didn't play. There was a seeing, swelling, touching & tasting table & every one was blindfolded except where they were timed at the seeing table, & the prizes were given to the one who had guessed the greatest number of things correctly - each one wrote down on a card what she thought she had tasted smelt etc. Charlotte Newbury & Dr. Grisem got the prizes - a prettily framed photo of the "Long words" & a silver knife. Theodora came within one of getting the photo. It seemed very natural to be having a good time in that pretty home but I think Theodora really enjoys things more, she hates to start so that she has a pleasent reaction that I entirely miss. I meant to get up at five to see Trude off the next morning but woke up a quarter of an hour too late & had to give it up - was sorry as I have done nothing for her birthday or her journey and am ashamed of myself; will try to concoct something this vacation for her return as soon as this clothes business is off my mind. Mrs. Might sent over quantities of ice-cream & cake & salad" after the ball was over". Major Bradford has had the appoint of manager of the mine - the position Mr. Aberdeen - his partner left - so Allis is at the head of an establishment - servants & carriages furnished - and a salary of 12,000 a year for her husband. A good beginning for Allis's enterprise. Theodora has just