News

Garber Announces Advisory Committee for Harvard Law School Dean Search

News

First Harvard Prize Book in Kosovo Established by Harvard Alumni

News

Ryan Murdock ’25 Remembered as Dedicated Advocate and Caring Friend

News

Harvard Faculty Appeal Temporary Suspensions From Widener Library

News

Man Who Managed Clients for High-End Cambridge Brothel Network Pleads Guilty

A BUNDLE OF LETTERS.

BY JAMES HENRY, JR.

NO WRITER ATTRIBUTED

I. From ARTHUR PENDENNIS, '84, at Harvard, to SOLOMON STYLESLINGER in New York.

MY DEAR SOL, - You must pardon my long silence, but the fact is, my dear fellow, my time is all taken up. College life is in full swing, and our class has the reputation of being the liveliest that ever entered Harvard. The great thing here is to cultivate the men. Sometimes I think that many of them are not worth cultivating, - however, I have the pick of the class. Of course this sort of thing requires time and money, but I don't have to study any to speak of, and my allowance is generous, as the family are economizing in many ways. I wish the governor's business would brace up a little. I hate to have the girls give up the opera, when I make a practice of going in town in a cab; but then, "when you're in Rome," &c. And, after all, this is the sort of life which makes a man of a fellow. I have not seen much of Cambridge society as yet, but shall let the ladies see me when I get to be a Junior. I don't accept invitations at present, as I think strongly of going into athletics. I began to train for our class crew, but found it too confining. Your friend, F. F., is visiting here, and is putting on a good many lugs. Beware, Sol, old man, woman is a false and fickle thing, as Mercury said to AEneas when he advised him to sneak away from Dido.

Yours devotedly,

ARTHUR P.P. S. - I have just bought a bull terrier for thirty dollars. He promises well.

A. P.II. From Miss FLORA BADFLIRT, at Cambridge, to Miss LILIAN LISTLESS in New York.

My OWN DEAREST LILIAN, - I have so much to tell you that I can't write half. I only wish you were here. Cambridge is such a queer place, - the people are all so intellectual and that sort of thing. They carry books in the horse-cars, and the girls all talk about political economy and protoplasm. It's not a bit interesting. Their manners are exquisite, though. I suppose that comes from meeting so many students. Of course you're dying to hear about the students. Well, they're perfectly horrid. They stare at one dreadfully. Of course I don't mind a slight glance of admiration, un coup d'oeil en passant, but a continued stare, though flattering, is very rude indeed. I met some very, very nice college men at a german, though, - they were extremely dignified. Some of them told me all about how they spend their time, and I think Harvard life must be perfectly delightful. One very pale man went home early. My cousin said he had to grind, because he was a law pill. Isn't that a horrid name? Arthur Pendennis is here in the Freshman class. He is just as conceited as he can be. My cousin says he drinks. If Mr. Styleslinger calls on you, just tell him that I have had ever so much attention in Cambridge, and think that Harvard men are perfectly splendia.

Your loving friend,

FLORA.III. From JONAS DIGAWAY, '84, at Harvard, to the Rev. BENJAMIN BRIMSTONE, Middlebury, Vt.

RESPECTED SIR, - I promised to keep you posted as to my college work, and therefore write to tell you how much interested I have become in it. The Freshman year is certainly a hard one. I begin to fear that I shall not lead my class, but I hope with constant application to obtain a detur if my health holds out. It gives me great pleasure to inform you that your fears in regard to the depravity of Harvard life were entirely groundless. I have seen nothing of the immorality of which we read in the columns of the Middlebury Monitor. Of the success of the higher education for women here, I can speak only words of praise. The young women of the Annex, as well as those of Cambridge in general, are most interesting and intelligent persons. A Miss Antique, who has lately taken a room in our house, I have found to be a remarkable woman. She has read Goethe entirely through in the original. She seems interested in me, though I cannot decide whether she is in love with me or not, as she is extremely modest. I do not contemplate matrimony at present.

Yours very respectfully,

J. DIGAWAY.IV. From Miss VERDE ANTIQUE of the Annex, to Miss DOROTHY PASSE of Greenfield, Mass.

DEAR FRIEND, - The charms of my University life exceed even my fondest anticipations. Society here is intense. Cambridge is so rich in intellectual life, in local color, that one's faculties are kept in constant tension. I feel that I am improving very fast under these stimulating influences. The instructors are all men of tone. Some of them are inclined to talk upon matters not connected with the recitation, but they are always interesting. I am delighted to be able to tell you that Harvard has been grossly misrepresented by the public press. The students do not even stare at one, but are profoundly respectful. The only one about whom I have any doubts is a Mr. Digaway, who lives in this house. He looks exceedingly pale from dissipation, and often has a light in his room until very late at night. It is a very sad case. I hope and pray that I may be able to exert a good influence over this young man. If I can reform at least one erring soul, I shall not have come here in vain.

Your sincere friend,

VERDE ANTIQUE.

Want to keep up with breaking news? Subscribe to our email newsletter.

Tags