Cha^s—

            Feb 28/61

 

Yale Feb. 28^th 1860

 

Dear Father

                        I have been expecting for a few days, a letter from Sallie, who you know was my guest for a little while last week. But either she has forgotten the usual etiquette in such cases, or more pressing duties incident to a return from a month's absence from home, have prevented her writing, for the letter hasn't come. So I will answer your last which was duly received. I had heard of Miss Havens' and Edwin Pierce's death. The latter appears to me an unusually sad dispensation of Providence. The old and infirm die, and we do not wonder, but when God cuts down a young man, of more than ordinary intellect, an only son & brother, we are amazed, and ask, with reason, What does it mean? It must be a sad affliction to Mr. & Mrs. P. and the girls, but I am sure that some hour or other it will prove all right. This is the day of Fasting & Prayer for Colleges— / and a more magnificent day I never saw. It is as warm as spring, and everything is as still and solemn, as on the loveliest Sabbath you ever saw. Not so is the religious world among us. Everything seems cold and lifeless. This morning the different classes had prayer-meetings & were addressed by one of the Profs. This after noon there was a general prayer-meeting, at which Profs. Fisher, Porter & Sarnes, and the Pres. made remarks. So ends the day. Religion is at a discount in this college, just now. I suppose you will remember us this evening. The Republican State convention met here yesterday. You have learned of the nominations by the papers. Mr & Mrs Wadhams are in town, the former being a delegate to the con. I shall call on the latter to night & hope to see her daughter. I noticed Messrs. Prentice & Halsey among the Delegates, and Bromley reporting for the Bulletin. I am very sorry Kate thinks I owe her a letter, not only because I shall have to write, but I don't wish her to think I have forgotten her so soon. Our next composition subject is "Johnson and his friends"—and I am just now interested / in reading Boswell's Johnson. I like the subject pretty well, and shall learn a good about and from the old Doctor. And now, lest some fine morning you should be frightened half out out of your wits at receiving another letter from the Faculty let me explain to you, cordially, the system of marks among us. If a student is late at any exercise, literary or religious, without a good excuse (not hearing the bell, being to far away when the bell rang, and sleeping over, not being good excuses) he is charged two marks. If he, after reciting, wishes for any reason, as for instance to work on his composition, or get out a lesson to make up, he egresses, he is charged two marks. When the marks count up to sixteen the parent or guardian is informed of the fact by letter, and nothing more being done, the marks are erased at the end of the term. Now, not to put too fine a point on the matter, I have been four terms without such a letter, which if you remember your college experience, you know to be some what difficult. This term, my marks must be in the neighborhood of the awful maximum / though I am by no means sure that I shall have a "letter home" The letter would read "—— your son having incurred sixteen marks is placed upon the course of discipline". The last part means that if your son should have three such letters in one term or 48 marks, he would be dismissed. But if he only gets one, or even two, it is no worse than if he gets none, provided he explains the matter to "his folks" as I have attempted to do to you. Perhaps I may add that the best & smartest men have letters home, still it is not confined to them, and I haven't incurred my marks for the purpose of being good and smart, but from thoughtlessness, and carelessness. Hoping that you understand the matter, and with much love to yourself & the family, I remain         Your aff. Son Cha^s J. Arms

 

Mother shall hear from me next—

Please ask her to send me a half doz. napkins when she sends Coz. W^m's box—

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