Metadata
Title
Sarah Josepha Hale to David E. Hale
Creator
Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell, 1788-1879
Date
1830-09-20
September 20, 1830
Medium
Manuscripts
Language
eng
Type
text
Collection
Sarah Josepha Hale Collection, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
Identifier
46-M-134
Rights
http://www.philaathenaeum.org/rights.html
Text
Boston, Sept. 20, 1830
My dear Son - You have probably before
this heard that your mother has obtained
the prize - among the poets, I send
you a paper containing the poem,
and likewise the proceedings for the
day. This paper you may keep, as you
may hereafter wish to refer to it.
I have rec'd numerous congratulations
from my friends, and
must acknowledge I am myself
quite gratified with the share fame
or fortune has accorded me on
the Centennial Anniversary. The
greatest pleasure however, is connected
with the idea of the satisfaction
my children will derive from the
circumstance, and the advantages
which my success may be to them.
- I have not yet made my visit to my
friends at Keene. your aunt is absent
at Troy, N.Y. and will not return till next
week, so I have deferred my journey till that
time; but I had a letter from the dear
little girls last week - Martha Ann says
I must say to her brother David that
she wants an answer to her letter, that
she sent him - and she desires you
will write a Latin letter. Perhaps,
in French would satisfy her. I believe
she is making good proficiency in
her studies. - I expect Horatio this
week he will spend a few days in
Boston, and then accompany
me to Keene. Willey is merry as
ever, and sends a great deal of love
to brother David.
Apropos - have you rec'd the package
I forwarded by Mr Lothrop? I hope
so because I fear Mr [?] will want
his [?]. -
The next letter you write me will, I
trust be longer than the last, and let it
be descriptive of your studies, pleasures
- duties (the last should be first) [etc.?]
By the way, you will observe that I
have corrected a few words in my poem
- I shall give it corrected in the next Mag.
Now, my dear Son, I hope your next letter
will show you to be very happy, looking
on the bright side of the world, and cherishing
that enthusiasm which makes the
pleasures of life. What signifies it that we
cannot obtain all for which we strive?
The exertion that aims at eminence
in virtue and usefulness is of itself,
felicity. And every day that we pass
happily is an item in our list of
blessings. Never think of waiting to be
happy till you have reached this or
[ED: page torn] station or age, or [DE: ?] privilige [privililege], that
[?]ful and contented and useful now -
- Your studies are your business - if you
perform your task well, you are entitled
to enjoy yourself; and you may look forward
with confidence that life has
blessings in store for you. None need
be wretched. Some are unfortunate, to
be sure - but there are no troubles, but
those of our own making, which need be
considered [?]. Be good - and strive
to be useful - I will ask no more to secure my
confidence and affection for you - as your
Father in Heaven requires no more
Affectionately yours
Sarah J. Hale
Cadet David E. Hale
West-Point
N. York.
My dear Son - You have probably before
this heard that your mother has obtained
the prize - among the poets, I send
you a paper containing the poem,
and likewise the proceedings for the
day. This paper you may keep, as you
may hereafter wish to refer to it.
I have rec'd numerous congratulations
from my friends, and
must acknowledge I am myself
quite gratified with the share fame
or fortune has accorded me on
the Centennial Anniversary. The
greatest pleasure however, is connected
with the idea of the satisfaction
my children will derive from the
circumstance, and the advantages
which my success may be to them.
- I have not yet made my visit to my
friends at Keene. your aunt is absent
at Troy, N.Y. and will not return till next
week, so I have deferred my journey till that
time; but I had a letter from the dear
little girls last week - Martha Ann says
I must say to her brother David that
she wants an answer to her letter, that
she sent him - and she desires you
will write a Latin letter. Perhaps,
in French would satisfy her. I believe
she is making good proficiency in
her studies. - I expect Horatio this
week he will spend a few days in
Boston, and then accompany
me to Keene. Willey is merry as
ever, and sends a great deal of love
to brother David.
Apropos - have you rec'd the package
I forwarded by Mr Lothrop? I hope
so because I fear Mr [?] will want
his [?]. -
The next letter you write me will, I
trust be longer than the last, and let it
be descriptive of your studies, pleasures
- duties (the last should be first) [etc.?]
By the way, you will observe that I
have corrected a few words in my poem
- I shall give it corrected in the next Mag.
Now, my dear Son, I hope your next letter
will show you to be very happy, looking
on the bright side of the world, and cherishing
that enthusiasm which makes the
pleasures of life. What signifies it that we
cannot obtain all for which we strive?
The exertion that aims at eminence
in virtue and usefulness is of itself,
felicity. And every day that we pass
happily is an item in our list of
blessings. Never think of waiting to be
happy till you have reached this or
[ED: page torn] station or age, or [DE: ?] privilige [privililege], that
[?]ful and contented and useful now -
- Your studies are your business - if you
perform your task well, you are entitled
to enjoy yourself; and you may look forward
with confidence that life has
blessings in store for you. None need
be wretched. Some are unfortunate, to
be sure - but there are no troubles, but
those of our own making, which need be
considered [?]. Be good - and strive
to be useful - I will ask no more to secure my
confidence and affection for you - as your
Father in Heaven requires no more
Affectionately yours
Sarah J. Hale
Cadet David E. Hale
West-Point
N. York.