RichardsonLeonard18530906_001

Tuesday Sept 6th 1853.
Dear Parents,
I commence thus early in the week
to write you because we have no school on account of the
anniversary of the theological seminary. Mr Taylor kindly
granted his senior class two days and a half, but with
lesson enough to keep us studying at least one of them.
Thus you see we have quite a respite; and it is well for as
for he is not slow in lessons. All accounts which former
senior classes have given of him, have not been exaggerated
but rather fall short of the reality. He is a severe teacher
most rigid in his course. I was never so timid before
any man before. And I am not alone, all are subject
to trembling knees and stammering tongues. And if possible
those who have just come in to the class, are more than the
older scholars. One poor fellow could not speak the other
day when called up for a long time, his lips moved
and there was a strange quivering about the mouth but
no sound came forth. Strange that we should be so frightened
at a man, but we cannot help it. If every
question is not answered just so precisely, and exactly,
he seats as quick as thought. Four or five were floored one
morning as soon as they were called up because they could