[Cooley: Letter about Mt. Holyoke, Feb. 1843, page 1]

South Deerfield, Feb. 9, 1843

Dear Brother,

A letter from yourself & another from Miss Lyon have just come to hand. Amelia, I presume intended nothing wrong, but she is capable of giving things a high coloring. This I thought she did in regards to the school, in a letter to me before she left them. I therefore wrote to Miss Lyon requesting her to give me a correct statement of her improvement &tc & tell me whether she thought she had better return. Amelia came away in haste & left it with her Aunt I transcribe the letter word for word.

"My Dear Mrs. Cooley,

The note you sent me was not given me till your niece left. I regretted it, as I should have talked with her on the subject. As she has not returned, I suppose it may be doubtful. I should advise about her returning just according to her wishes. She is not so much a lover of study as some. On this account, she is not inclined to be so happy & satisfied with what is done. I knew & advised, & planned about her studying Latin. Our scholars are of such a standing that it is very difficult for any who are late in getting through arithmetic, to go on well with Algebra, especially if they are not very good in arithmetic. Those of this description are

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[Cooley: Letter about Mt. Holyoke, Feb. 1843, page 2]

always advised to study Latin. The classes get on in Algebra while they are going through arithmetic. Such scholars never do well in Algebra, if they are a little behind & a little discouraged. Such was the case with your niece and a few others. I thought she would have courage in Latin. Discipline is the great thing she needs, & on this account it matters but little which she studies. The only thing in deciding the question is the clasping them to good advantage. Your niece did not study Latin long enough before she left to know at all how she should like it. We knew that she could not go on in our school without the discipline of Latin or Algebra. If we put her into Algebra, we knew she would not keep up with her class & would grow discouraged & I feared would find it very unprofitable. In Latin she could be classed with & after the first dislike was over, I had no doubt she would go on very happily. I attended to this case myself, & decided it myself, because I had so much anxiety about her doing well. I thought it best for her to study Latin. I should have done the same had she been my own child. I have a niece here, who is studying Latin instead of Algebra. If I can aid you at all, in deciding about her returning I shall be happy to do it. Give my love to your niece, if you think best, say to her, that I should like to have her do just as she pleases about returning. I think it

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[Cooley: Letter about Mt. Holyoke, Feb. 1843, page 3]

best for young people to have just as much education as they really want & no more.

Please let me hear from you when it is decided, & [crossed out words] mention whether she thinks she left any little bills unpaid, & how much money she thinks I let her have at different times.

Affectionately Yours,
Mary Lyon"

Now dear brother, I suppose the above letter gives you the truth in the case, though not the whole. I hardly know what to say, for I must be plain, my responsiblity renders it necessary. I never was so tried about anything in my life. Amelia came home determined not to return, without giving the least intimation of her design to any of the teachers. I authorised her to procure some money for books &c of Miss Lyon, & I supposed when she received the ten dollars, she would refund the sum. She told me today she did not. I fear she does not know anything about economy. I am very sure she has not been taught industry, or the value of time. These she would have learned at S. H. if anywhere & to me it does seem that she will only spend your money without much profit, if you send her any where else. She must improve her moments there, or be considered no scholar. This she does not love to do, & would prefer some school where there is no restraint. I found in labor-

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[Cooley: Letter about Mt. Holyoke, Feb. 1843, page 4]

-ing to persuade her to return, she used first one argument, then another to convince me it was not best. When every difficulty seemed removed, she would bring up something new, just what happened to come into the mind. For instance, she first said she was obliged to spend so much time on her lesson, if she could get it in half the time, I replied she was probably mistaken, she must spend so much time on mathematics, & if a young lady could go faster than her class, she would be removed to a higher class. It was always so, & is still. There are special arrangements to accommodate the capacity & improvement of every scholar. In the course of the conversation she said [(]having I suppose forgotten her first assertion[)] that she was so pressed, she had not half time to get her lessons. Thus you see what course she has taken. She has not only disgraced herself, but all who have had anything to do with her going there by the course she has taken. My feelings have been such as to cause deep anxiety by day & sleeplessness by night. Her last argument was a strong one, & one which it was not in my power to remove. Her father had written to her, that she need not return if she could not be contented. Had I known what she had written to you, I should have given you some facts sooner, before you had given her that liberty.

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[Cooley: Letter about Mt. Holyoke, Feb. 1843, page 5]

But her artfulness has exceeded my imagination & she has gained her point. I am some afraid she never intended to remain there, but only to get well clothed &c. However, I will not prejudge.

With regard to her going there another year, the idea has always been conveyed to Miss Lyon that if she improved her time well, & you was prospered [sic] she would probably go more than one year. I have no doubt, if she had applied herself as she might previous to going, she might instead of being backward, have entered the middle class. It is my present candid conviction that she does not love application to any thing, & that she must have at S.H. & therefore she dislikes the school. It is evident notwithstanding that polished society was exerting a happy influence over her, though she seems unconscious of it herself. Should she go through the course there, I have no doubt but she would be just what you would wish, & I do not believe she will if she goes to any other school. Perhaps if you would not send her to any other in-

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[Cooley: Letter about Mt. Holyoke, Feb. 1843, page 6]

-stitution, by waiting till next fall she would desire to go. Should you conclude to send her to some other school, I think it would not be best for me to have anything more to do with the matter.

Yours,

L. Cooley

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[in margin of page 1 ] Amelia went to dancing school night before last, I am afraid she cares more for that than mental improvements. Excuse me. Perhaps I shall incur your displeasure & Amelia's also, but I have no unkind feelings toward her, I shall always feel interest in her welfare. If I am too frank forgive me,

Your affectionate sister,

Lucretia

[in margin]

I take it for granted that you will keep this letter a profound secret. I will ascertain all the items of expense & let you know.

[addressed to Mr. Dennis Cooley, P.M. ]

Washington, Macomb Co., Mich.

[notation on this page in another hand and darker ink] Deerfield Ms.
Feby 9 Recd Feb 21-1843 Repa Feby 21-1843