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

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