by Martha DeWolf
6/17/2010

October 8th, 1876

My dear Hattie,

Duty and curiosity prompts me to write a letter homeward today.  Duty, because I promised to attend church (which I have done) and write often when I left.  Curiosity, because I wish to know how the family travelers succeeded in imbibing love and knowledge together at Philadelphia. 

I write you, as you represent, better than any one else, the embodiment of family virtues (as well as faults), so constantly displayed in the home circle.  Furthermore, you can exert yourself to answer without much trouble and give me the desired information. Albert coming home as he did last night, will tell you all the news and leave me the task of describing my situation.  I am well pleased with my chum who is a steady student, sober as a subdued infant and knows much about medical subjects having had already three years of study. 

My room is very pleasant, afternoon sun and only a few rods from school so that we can run over in rainy weather without an umbrella.  I find my studies very hard and requiring constant digging.  I can have no evenings, unless perhaps Saturday, to loaf or go out as all the hours of the day are spent in lectures or laboratory. 

Every Saturday forenoon we attend a series of clinical demonstrations of hospital patients.  All the choice cases in surgery and all rare operations are saved up for that day and the operations shown us.  Several fellows take to fainting once in a while, but I stayed it well.  Yesterday I watched several without trouble but a case of cutting off the top of the thighbone of a boy was somewhat unpleasant.  I went out to Cambridge the other night & saw a large number of old friends. 

Bond is about the same as usual and if he gets through the year without sickness will surprise himself and all others.   Fisher is at home tutoring.  His father is dead & he helps take care of the place.  I think he goes to Philadelphia this week.  Jonas Clark lent me his microscope a few days ago, which act of kindness on his part relieved my mind of much trouble.  We are required to use them this year in Histology.  A good one, such as would be powerful enough for uses costs at least $75 and I knew not where or how to get one.  But the goodness of Jonas has settled all my troubles.  I want to invite him home sometime & rely upon you to entertain him. 

My books cost very high and we can get only 10% off the regular retail price.  Heretofore I have been able to get 25% off on college textbooks.   I went down to the station yesterday to meet the happy pair but could not find them.  They must have come on a different train from the one we took back on Saturday morning.  

If you see Stiles, give him my regards & tell him to call at 40 Blossom St.  when he comes down.  You had better send your letters to the same place that is, if you write me any.  If you intend to take drawing lessons you can have my portfolio.  I brought it down, but shall not use it. 

Tell mother that, when she has a chance, I wish she could send me some old rags, linen of course, to use for wiping my laboratory instruments.  Give my love to all & keep for yourself so much as you like. 

Yours, JHB

Briggs takes his dinners with us.  He is very pleasant & we already struck a friendship.