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One Fellow, Lorenzo S. Cragin jr. took the sec. prize for Declamation, the best Latin recitation from Shakespear and the best English Theme, as well as being one of the twelve Exemplars. Monday 26th I walked out to Harvard in the Morning and loafed round the Colleges a spell. ad then went to Mount Auburn, admired it beauties & wandered amidst it peaceful groves till one oclock, then went over to Fresh Pond and wandered there till 2 1/2 oclock then took the cars to Charleston. There is a little Railroad fare you know to carry ice from Fresh Pond to Charleston. There are many beautiful monuments at Mount Auburn and some splendid sculptures. I was there nearly 4 hours and saw about every monument but I could have stayed 4 times as long with Pleasure. Fresh Pond is a beautiful [lace, it is a fine sheet of water, bending round round a peninsula covered with tall trees without underbrush. On it is a Public house all in the Woods, which is a favorite resort of some folks. Around the house are ninepin alleys, fine swings among the trees etc. etc. In the pond smooth pretty beach to walk upon. Fish are plenty. little boys were wading along the beach killing Alewifes with clubs and stones. Some of them had dozens. The ice works & ice houses are really worth seeing. At the Rail Road Depot are some 5 or 6 brick buildings 80 or 100 feet long 40 wide & 30 or 40 high, packed solid with ice, which many men were loading in cars. It is a cool place in there on a warm day. I told you I wrote to Charleston and called upon Miss Jersuha Holmes who is about to go into the Female Seminary. She & Mary Tower are in Charleston but I did not know that.

     I did not get into Boston until too late to attend Bible Soc. Meeting, which was ?page torn in the afternoon. In the Evening I went to the Amer. Peace Soc. Meeting at Central Church Judge Jay of New York delivered the Address, which was of course good.

Tuesday 27th. I went to the Convention of Classical Teachers at Tremont Temple. There were not a great many there and they did not seem to do much, but I had a chance to learn the faces of some of the ?page torn men of the Profession. 11 or 12 I went up to see Mrs. Childs. She has particularly requested me to call again. Mrs. Child did talk - how well she can talk! Never? there was a chance her daughter put in a word edge wise; And I certainly have the merit, as, I forget who it is, says, of being of a good listener. At least ?page torn really talks well. It is a very great gift to be able to talk. I dont know how many things they wanted me to tell you. One was they expected that Aunt Dolly was dead. I dont know who she is, but they said you would. I believe they said she was Uncle Humphrey's wife or widow. At any rate they told how she was an awful infidel and did not believe anything and drank wicked rum besides, and made her Sons vagabond drunkards? And when her son Bill reformed, and improved so much that folks did not know him and ?page torn that he was a man. Then she took pains to set her tumbler of rum & sugar in his way so that he might smell it and drink again, for she said it always did do the boys good and she wished he would drink some. They lived in Orange and the boy Bill was most 40 years old.

 Elizabeth was much obliged for Lucy's peice of poetry, thought it very good, and had put it in her Scrap Book which she had been making with much pains, and showed it to me. Among the Autographs of the distinguished visitors, many which I noticed ?page torn written by Hannah Richard Child. Who is She? The Authoress Miss S. G. Edgerton, Lucy knows her poetry, is about to be married to Cousin Dwight Mayo. Who is he? They sent an abundance of love etc. etc. to you folks. Were going to write but preferred to send by me. Elizabeth acknowledged the receipt of Ann's letter should have written but was not able. She was in Bangor all winter last till March.  Was sick most of the time. did not expect to live. Sent for Mr. Hedge to see her etc. etc.
 I stayed there for Dinner, Mrs. Child showed me her Garden etc. etc. When I started to come away, Mrs. C. came out in the Entry and gave me a little folded peice of paper, she was going to send by letter she said, and was glad she had this chance. The paper contained two ten dollar bills! I guess I did know nothing what to say. I guess I did mumble terribly. think Mrs. C. wanted her money should do some good while she lived. Encourage interest etc. etc.
  I knew nothing how to express my thanks and dont yet. You cant help think how necessary as well as unexpected such a money was to me. With the greatest possible prudence, I should have only $1,50 when I get home to pay my bills with. I had bought a Coat for $3,00 when I ought to have paid $1,00 for one and 2 pr of pants to wear all summer for $,75 each! I had concluded to go without any Cap or hat, or vest, or anything else I needed.
 And when I had some money, I restrained myself and bought nothing better so I brought back the $20,00. entire. My whole expenses over six days were Steamboat $2,00, Clothes etc. $4,70. Union? fees $,40, food etc. about $,50. which paid for 9 meals and all drinks fruit and other good things that I had beside. I really wanted to go into the Museum and should if I had staid another day. And to go over to East Boston and see the steam Ships too.
 However I had a very good time,  enjoyed in it finely, Saw many things I wanted too, and really did me a great deal of good, and cost hardly $3,00 which I probably saved in buying only $4,00 worth of clothes.  And then get $20 besides !!!!!