Chas

                        Please return

                        the account

                        of Prize debate

                        i.e. the News-

                        paper act.

 

Yale May 19^th 1860.

 

Dear Father:

                        I suppose you are waiting for an answer to your letter which Mr. Pratt delivered with the bible the day I sent mine. We have just had a most delightful rain which was very much needed, and now every thing looks fresh. Probably the same storm extended to you—I hope so—though we had rain here the day before I got your letter and you speak of its being very dry. And "Honest Abe" is to be the next President! Well I rather like that, for though Seward deserves it (the nomination) more than Lincoln, yet he never / have been elected—and Lincoln will—so they say here. It seems to me that they might have selected a more available candidate for the Vice than Hamlin—though probably they know best. The order and dispatch with which the business was done suits me—a three-day's session & nary row. In regard to the Prize Fight of which I sent you an account & it was by no means a complete one, I must enlighten you a little. There is a fellow in our class named Duffield. His father is a congregationalist clergyman of Philadelphia. A more gullable Freshman never was tormented and sold. Ever since he has been here he has (although a member of the church, and at / first, among the most active in our prayer-meetings) been a good deal in the company of the poorer class of fellows. I mean fellows of poorer principles—and they have taken untold delight in making him the butt of their jokes and ridicule. About a week ago they took it into their noble heads that they would have a Prize Fight. So getting up a quarrel between him & Vanderpool who though nothing of a scholar, has more common sense than Duf. and making the latter believe his honor was at stake induced him to send V a challenge V. accepted & hence the fight. The affair was in part a joke but both fellows were very much bruised and bear the marks yet. The piece which is enclosed is really a true statement or nearly / so of the affair. The piece I sent you was got up to appease the faculty & make them think it was a joke. I am happy to say that I had nothing to do with it, except indeed to be one of four to break in the ring and one alone to put on Duf's shirt & coat for him and lead him home. I didn't know but you might think I was one of the fighters, as no names were mentioned in the extract from the News. In fact I didn't much care if you did feel worried enough about it to write. You know my first letter lay a long while unanswered.

 

With love to all I am

                        Your aff son    C

 

Julia writes that Mrs Turner will visit you soon. I heard from Mrs. Bacon yesterday—

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