Back to College Letters Collection | Back to James Morrow Letters | Jump to original
Davidson College, N.C. May 28th 1840
Dear Pa’ and Mother,
On last mail day I was anxiously expecting a letter from you, I know it must have been owing to the irregularities of the mail. Now, that I know that they are so irregular, I feel that it would be foolish to be uneasy, or to have my expectations raised so high, as to be hurt by a disappointment.
I have been tolerable well since I wrote to you last, except a little of the diarrhea, and occasionally a slight fever, but my case has been easy compared to that of some of my fellow students. Some of of them have been very sick indeed. And more are sick and down at this time, than have been since I have been here. I think we have had two or three cases of fever, but I do not know what kind. Nearly all of the students have had the diarrhea, and several are sick and down at this time. Some had it severely and were reduced very much. My friend Mr. Bynum has been sick with it for two weeks, and is still quite unwell but I hope he is mending, now since he has taken a good deal of active medicine.- The mumps are still lingering among us, about five of the students have them now, and mumps have been with us so long, and have become so familiar, that we scarcely even hear anything said about
[Page 2]
them, except perhaps once and a while we hear the questions asked, “Has any person got the mumps now?” We never think of taking them, or expect them, but are taken on surprise.-
There has been so much sickness of one kind or [an?] another that the professors have been kept busy in attending and administring to the sick, nearly all their leisure time. A few days ago, they walked from one room to another, and asked if any persons was sick in them?-
Last week, was a week of confusion at College as the 20th of May was celebrated. A patriotic speech was delivered by General Edney, and after him a very fine and appropriate oration on Temperance by the Rev,d Mr. Nash who told us that he did not know of any manner in which that day could be celebrated, more patriotically than by a Temperance Meeting.- The Senior Class delivered Original Speeches the two evenings succeeding the 20th as it was about the middle of the Session, but the audiance was very small.-Politics are raging here at this time. Everything for ‘Harrison, & Tyler,” and Morehead for Governor of this state. But politics I have nothing to do with. They are disgusting here to a great degree. The candidate for Governor goes about electioneering, at all public gatherings, and even rides round with the Tax Collector for votes. They are at it now-
Please Pa excuse me for writing so much about our sickness, and the state of things here. They cannot be interesting to you for I fear that you are still troubled, and have a heavy weight on your mind. Believe me Pa’ when I tell you that I feel for you, and that I would give you all the assistance in my power if I knew how. Your situation must be truly critical and trying
[Page 3]
when you have but few about you in whom you can confide as friends, but an abundance of those who are particularly friends to themselves.- My studies are agreeable and I hope I am getting along tolerable well with them. I have plenty to do, and not too much.- I find French a beautiful delightful language, but I know very little about it, still I like to read it.- We have nearly completed the course of Mathematics except reviewing. I find my expenses to be somewhat greater this session than I expected, as my necessary expenses have doubled, in having to furnish another table, candlestick and candles, and other little things but all are not much. Some other expenses have increased, but I try to spend as little money as possible, and I keep an account of all that I do spend.- I have bought some few little articles of clothing that I needed, as cheap as I could get them for cash-I have no account with any person. I will need to get some other little articles of summer clothing before long
Dr. Morrison’s health is much as usual, he is still able to be about
Crops are generally very good I believe except what crops are almost entirely distroyed by the fly- We have had agreat deal of rain lately; last week it rained nearly every day and it is raining now.-Give my love to my dear Mother, and tell her that “James” thinks often of her.- Please write to me as often as you can,-and believe me ever,
Your affectionate Son,
James Morrow
Jump to transcript
Original
From: DC0122s, James Morrow, 1820-1865 (1843) Letters, 1840-1853. Finding Aid
Cite as:
Morrow, James. Letter to Father and Mother. 28 May 1840. DC0122s, James Morrow, 1820-1865 (1843) Letters, 1840-1853. Davidson College Archives, Davidson College, NC. Available: https://davidsonarchivesandspecialcollections.org/archives/digital-collections/james-morrow-letter-28-may-1840/.
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.