William Plunkett 1850

startled on Tuesday by the cry of fire and indeed it proved no false alarm for one of the Common's buildings was discovered to be in the process of being destroyed. In spite of the extraordinary exertions of all, it burnt to the ground but other buildings near were saved. Several of the boys were thus very uncerimoniously turned ^out of their rooms but they lost none of their "effects" My heroic disregard of cold caused my ears to be frozen as did those of our principal There is a course of Lyceum lectures to be delivered here by several distinguashed literatii among whom may named [Connie?] Holmes Rev Theodore Parker & Charles Sumner. One dollar is the price of a ticket for the course of twelve lectures. As they come on Friday I attend as I have less to do on that evening than on any other. Sumner lectured last Friday on "The law of human Progress." He thinks the human race destined to become more & more enlightened for several thousand years yet to come &c.

Next week we commence Virgil and I suppose Xenophon. In my own opinoin I do not think I have recited quite as well this term as I did the last part of

last term but I think I stand a little better in my class, that is to say I am nearer the head. Why it is I know not for I have studied even harder & I do not think the lessons are any harder.

I shall begin to look for father soon. I called to see Mrs Peirce the other day. She seems very friendly indeed and wants to have me bring father there when he comes to Andover to which I replied that I had no doubt but that he would be very glad so to do

My money is nearly all expended and as next week I have got to purchase some new books I shall need some more "soon" My expenses have been on the decrease every term since I have been in Andover but this term I am rather afraid that they will increase from several causes one of them being that it is the longest term in the year. How does [Bas?] progress in her studies of "the world as it is" and of Natural History since her brother who used to preserve her from so many abuses has left home? Tell Sarah I want very much to hear from her and to have her send some of those Institutes [illegible] one copy of which she was to appropriate

to my use. Is Aunt Eliza staying in P. yet and if she is tell her that I have been for a long time expecting a letter from her. As for the rest I wish them all a happy New Year. Does the prospect still continue to be favorable to the idea of our having an European Correspondent. I have endeavoured to write this letter as well as I could so if it does not look nice I hope you will at least give me some credit for having tried

Yours affectionately

William

Andover Jan 27th 1848

My Dear Mother,

"At last "the box" is here" for which I send a great deal of thanks. I had made up my mind not to write home this week but the "long wished for box" arrived and the number of letters it contained made up in a great degree for past negligence. If you could have seen me upon its arrival you would have laughed heartily. I heard some one in the hall inquiring for my room. I went to the door and there stood a man with a box in hand. I comprehended the whole matter in an instant. I could hardly wait to pay him I was so anxious to see the contents. As soon as the man left my hatchet was forthcoming and totally regardless of nails I began to hack and hew but I soon found I could not get it open that way so I acted a little

more coolly and soon got it open. For the candy tell Delilah I know not how to express my thanks. I have just tasted of one of the sticks and think it excellent. Master Charley is very kind also to send the cake and as for thanking him I will do that when it comes his turn to have a letter. Tell Olive that her cakes were very fine and I send my sincere thanks for them. Sarah I will attend to next week. As for the pen (I am now writing with it) I am very much obliged to you for it and I am also much obliged for that Parisian slipper. I could not think what it could be for until I read your letter. Jim shall be thanked in a more direct manner. The money which father sent I am much obliged for also. The boots fit excellently and I think are very good ones. I supposed "Uncle David" would like the pay for them as soon as it is convenient. There is one thing among my numerous presents that I cannot think what it can be for. It is that "thing" made of different coloured cloth