New Haven May 18^th 1862

 

            Dear Cousin Frank,

                                                As the spirit of writing happens to come over me in a measure this evening, I think I will improve the opportunity, & give vent to the inspiration, if any such there is, by endeavoring to set down for your perusal a few of my wandering thoughts. First then you must know, that this term I am living a widower & alone, as my chum has seen fit to spend this summer in rustic occupations & sports; so I am, in my domestic arrangements, having it all my own way & no one to say, why dost thou thus? This situation of affairs, as I have/plenty of company around me, is in no way unpleasant, but gives me an opportunity for solitude & quiet, which I sometimes enjoy. Yesterday afternoon, I enjoyed the most delicious ramble, it appears to me I ever took in my life; Hitherto my rambles have generally been in the direction of East or West Rocks or along the sound, but yesterday I took a new direction, off towards the east, to Saltonstall Lake. It seems as though I never saw so many flowers, clusters of wild honeysuckle on the hill sides & among the rocks, such as would put you in ecstacies for a week, & then such a view of the lake, when I got there, from the summit of a rock in the woods as would have transported you with delight./

 

After all, I suppose the view was not so fine, as from either east or west rock, but it was a new place & a splendid afternoon & more than all I was in just the mood for it. One thing perhaps might have added to my enjoyment, viz, the presence of some of the Kensington Cousins & Co. But I won’t bother over what might have been. It’s too much like, well, you know whom.

 

There were one or two musquitos buzzing around there, but I soon put a stop to their proceedings, by producing an aromatic drug & applying fire to it, & allowing the smoke therefrom to circulate pretty freely among them.

 

                                                            May 19^th

                                                                        I did not quite finish my letter last night & I will/endeavor to now with a very few words. So, I will just say that New Haven, & our College Campus in particular, begins to look what I call gay & festive, properly speaking, not exactly that, but very pleasant, Especially after supper, when we are lying around loose, under the trees, singing songs & glees, appearing no doubt to outsiders very nonsensical, but to ourselves peculiarly easy & delightful. But my few words are stringing themselves out too far. So with a desire to be remembered to all in Upsonville, who may chance to feel interested, & hoping to receive a reply from you in a short time I will close & subscribe myself,

 

                                                            Your cousin

                                                                                    Kirt.

SOURCES