LoweLL, Oct. 8, 1860
MY DAUGHTER: I had not intended writing you, until you had been
two months away, but the weakness of your mother's eyes prevents her from
writing, and so you have a note from “father.”
That you should be ambitious to excel, and obtain the
rewards of merit, gives me much pleasure; but you must not be disheartened because
your numerous studies will not permit you to compete successfully with those
that have fewer. Success in school life is one thing and to be desired, giving
much pleasure to us all; but remember, my brave, good girl, that success in
life is the object to be obtained, and your progress at school is gratifying
only as it gives assurance that you are endeavoring to prepare yourself for the
future. Go on, there, as you have begun. Limit your exertions only by the
necessities of your health. Remember how proudly I think of you, and how much
of our happiness is bound up in your welfare. Beside, my dear, you are almost
the only New England girl, and the only Massachusetts girl in your large school,
representing nearly all other sections of the country. A Yankee girl, a
Massachusetts girl, and “my Blanche” will not be outstripped by any competition
because duties are a little hard — studies a little perplexing — hours of
recreation a little restrained, or because it would be a little more pleasant
to run over the fields in the bright Autumn.
You must not give up Latin if it is possible to go on with
it, in due regard to your health. Why, I look forward to the pleasure I shall
have in reviewing my own old studies with you in the coming vacations. A graver
reason, however, is that your labor in the Latin will render lighter your toil
in other languages, whether French, Spanish, or Italian.
There, “Buntie,” I find that while I had intended only a word
of encouragement, I have almost given you a lecture. Still you know there is no
harsh word in it from “father,” who has had occasion to speak so few of them to
his good child.
Nothing has changed since you left, and nothing is missed at
home save yourself. “Bennie” gets his usual share of unlucky tumbles, but picks
himself up again with the same good humor as ever. Paul has taken one from him
just now, and cut a fine little gash in his forehead, but that is healing up
cleverly after having let out, as I tell him, some of his bad blood. Both go to
school under the charge of our neighbor, Mrs. Chase's niece.
We have not heard from Grandmother1 or Andrew2
for two mails, but I will see that you hear as soon as there is anything of
interest.
Goodbye, Blanche, I never knew how much you added to my comfort
and happiness at home till you were away, and you may be assured that yours is
not the only sacrifice of pleasure in doing that which has been thought best
for your future welfare by
FATHER
_______________
1 General Butler's mother, Mrs. Charlotte Ellison
Butler.
2 General Butler's brother, Andrew Jackson
Butler, then in California
SOURCE: Jessie Ames Marshall, Editor, Private and
Official Correspondence of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler During the Period of the
Civil War, Volume 1: April 1860 – June 1862, p. 2-3
No comments:
Post a Comment