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Bangor Jan 1st 1857 My Dear Children I wish you all a very happy new year -- & I thank you very much for a good letter I receivd from you a day or two since I am very glad the boys go to school & are learning hope they will not suffer themselves to get their heads full of play while school keeps because they can play after school closes when it will not be so good a time to learn am very glad too that Mary is learning to read Tell them I want very much indeed that they should always be kind & pleasant to each other & never speak cross but always in a polite and pleasant voice & if they will all mind the golden rule they wont have occation to speak cross About Marys dress & cloak I have noticed only one little girl who lives near here but she is I suppose dress'd in the "pink of the mode" She goes to singing school & dancing school! is not quite six years old!! she has a thibet cloak belted