PlunkettWmR1850_18490215_001

Andover Feb 15th 1849

My Dear Mother,

You must not be in the
least astonished if my letter is very argumentative
because for the last few days I have been
considering all the arguments pro & con on
"war" in preparation for my great speech at
the Philo. It was without doubt the best
extempore speech I ever made in the Philo.
Indeed for one who is as unacquainted with
the sublime art of extempuring as I am
I think I did very well. You must not call
me egotistical because I say so much
about myself & tell so much what others
say about me. The reason is because I think
you are somewhat interested to know how I
get along in acquiring that which will
tend to make me somebody hereafter & to
preserve my name for a few years after my death.

I have not read a very astonishing amount
this term. I have commenced Macauleys
History besides considerable misellaneous