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A.P.M. to I.S.M. Dec. 31. 1850 Merrimack Inst.

                                                                                                                                                Merrimack, Dec.  31 - 1850.

My dear friend,

                It is late, and I am weary, but I wish once more to date 1850. The old year is almost gone - a year full of event - a year long to be remembered. I think of dear Henry to night, and he does not seem far away.  Has he not just begun to live? Miss McKeen, my room mate, buried her only brother last June. We feel that we can share each others' sorrows, & that we can rejoice together too. Those dear lost ones are not sad tonight, and we should not be sad for them, though it seems, sometimes hard to "live without their vanished light." O how little we dreamed, one year ago this night, what the year was bringing for us. One only knows what the hours and moments of the year now coming will bring, - but it is very sweet to confide all to Him.
Jan. 1. 1851. The morning of the new year has come - bright - and beautiful - May it be to thee a happy one.
  The new -year's wish has echoed, merrily, through the halls of our building this morning, and has followed many a tap at our door. I could not help wishing, silently, that all these hearts, now so light and happy, might know the true source of all real joy.
 But I must not stop this morning to write much. I have

[left-hand side and top] Brother George will return next term. This term has three weeks after this, and one week only of vacation succeeds. The rooms in the building are fast being engaged. I have as yet received no instructions from my several guardians and counsellors, as to whether I shall secure, a room for the coming term. It will be soon be too late to do so, if I should wish. Mr. Ray thinks the entire building will be occupied by ladies next term. The applications are greater than at any given time. I will direct to Milo, since you were there when you wrote. I love to have a letter. The first half of the days that intervene, I think of the one just received, and the last half of the one I hope is coming. O I meant to tell you how many letters I wrote last year - 61 and I received 59. More than usual I think. Very truly yours, Antoinette.