I received your letter dated 23 Inst.2 yesterday, and should have answered it immediately but was prevented by the report that a balloon was to make its' ascension that evening. I attended but it was a failure. ~ = Your advice about letter writing has met with my entire approbation and hope to profit by your timely warning.–

I have few correspondents and consequently write few letters. My health at present is very good very well situated & have every opportunity both of reading, and learning the course of Studies prescribed in College. we have in our library about three thousand five hundred volumes.3 Historys, Novels Biographys &c. &c. I am very desirous to remain here next vacation for the purpose of reading.–

I must now say a word or two in regard to the ordinary routine of daily life at College. Very early in the morning the observer may see lights at a few of the windows of the buildings inhabited by the students. They mark the rooms occupied by the more industrious or more resolute, who rise and devote an hour or two to their books by candle light on the winter mornings. About day the bell awakens the multitude of sleepers in all the rooms, and in a short time they are to be seen issuing from the various doors with sleepy looks and a few with books under their arms to attempt to make up as well as the faint but increasing light will ennable them, for the time wasted in idleness or dissipation on the on the evening before. the first who come down go slowly, others with quicker and quicker step as the tolling of the bell proceeds; and the last few stragglers run with all speed to answer to their respective names. One of the Professors reads a portion of Scriptureby the mingled light of the reddening beams which comes in from the eastern sky. He then offers the morning prayer. The hundreds of young men before him exhibit the appearance of respectful attention. when prayers are over, the several classes repair immediately to the rooms assigned to them, and recite the first lesson of the day. During the short period which elapses between the recitation and the breakfast bell College is a busy scene. parties are running up and down the stairs two steps at a time with the ardour and activity of youth. And now and then a fresh crowd is seen issuing from the door of some one of the buildings where a class has finished its recitation and comes forth to disperse to their rooms;– The breakfast bell brings out the whole throng again and gathers them around the long tables in the Steward,s Hall or else scatters them among the private families of the Village.– An hour after breakfast the bell rings to mark the commencement of study hours; when the students are required by College laws to repair to their respective rooms, which answer the 3fold purpose of parlour bedroom and stud[y to] prepare for their recitation at 11. o'clock they [however] who choose to evade this law can do it without any detection. The great majority comply, but some go into their neighbour,s rooms to receive assistance in their studies, some lay by the dull book and read a tale: and others farther gone in the road of idleness and dissipation steal secretly away from College and ramble in the woods or skate upon the ice, evading their task like truant boys. they of course are marked absent but pretended sickness will answer for an excuse. they go, on blind to the certainty of disgrace which must soon come.–

Remember me to my dear parents and Brothers. I expect Brother Exum every day. Please excuse the shortness of this letter and the carelessness in which it is written. Write as soon as convenient