Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2015.02.0042 |
Object Name |
Letter |
Date |
1819 |
Title |
1819 February 25 Orlando Brown to Samuel Brown |
Scope & Content |
Letter from Orlando Brown (Princeton, NJ) to Samuel Brown (Philadelphia, PA). Orlando comments on Samuel's children: James' recovery from an illness and Susan's accomplishments. He also discusses life at Princeton; he comments on professors and students and his studies that have become more extensive. Orlando also discusses Preston Brown's career (he was a doctor) in Frankfort. [Transcription] Princeton, NJ., Feby 25th 1819 Dear Uncle I commence this letter with the expectation that in return for it you will give me a sound scolding for not answering your friendly notice of me in your last, but my reason for neglecting is such that you will readily accept and that is "want of time"-no bad symptom in a student, at any rate. No intelligence could have been more truly agreeable to me than to hear of James' recovery and as having (since being here) learned to play a trifling game at chess, tell him that, if I visit Philadelphia during the ensuing vacation, he shall have the pleasure of a triumph in the game over his cousin Orlando. You are perfectly justifiable in styling yourself an "impartial father" when speaking of Susan's merits, for it is my sincere belief, that there are very few (if any) on this side of the Allegheny, of her age, who can boast of the like mental acquirements and personal accomplishments. This "respectable persons of my acquaintance in College" are Mr. Venable who I hold first rank as a scholar and a gentleman-Mr. Middleton his equal in every respect-Mr. McDowell, a vey respected scholar- Mr. Cochran-Mr. Mayzyk and others whom the business of today will not give me time to enumerate. Mother's last letter mentions that all our Kentucky friends are well and that Uncle Preston is likely to succeed in Frankfort. Doctor Holly has deemed it expedient to join the Episcopal Church-"O scara fames (populantate) quid non coges mortalia pectora" We are not a quite as orderly at present at as we were at the commencement of the session -owing to the "sneaking" propensity of tutor McLean-his "honorable" ears have been greeted with reiterated scrapings in the refectory which torments the whole faculty because they are not able to apprehend the offenders. Scraping has the same intention of hissing and is made use of for better security. We were mistaken in our estimate of John Russell's abilities, for he is a youth possessed of a genius equal to any in Nassau and were it not for his indolent habits, would be an ornament to not only his native State but to our country. Our course of studies as it becomes more extensive, requires the more strict attention to keep pace with them-this may, hereafter, answer as an excuse for not answering yours as soon as received, since it is customary for Congress when pressed for time to lay the bill over for a week or two. Your remittance has entirely relieved me from all embarrassment and I am very grateful to you for the kindness. The sailors have an expression denoting their joy on approaching the harbor, "I see land." Thus it is with myself when coming to the close of a long letter, I see the bottom. This certainly is entitles to a lengthy and until this is received I must conclude with sending all possible affection to Susan and James and hope that you will not forget. Your affectionate nephew, Orlando Brown Dr. S. Brown P.S. I believe that LeRoy Pope has taken a dismission. [Postmark] Princeton, NJ Feb 25 [Address Block] Doctor Samuel Brown10 PhiladelphiaPennsylvania |
People |
Orlando Brown Samuel Brown James Percy Brown Susan Brown Ingersoll Preston W. Brown |
Search Terms |
Princeton, NJ Physicians |