Chiding uncle for not writing; impressions of school and city

Postmark: Philadelphia
                        Dec 29

               Allen T Crockett Esq
                                                  Wytheville
                                                      Wythe City
                                                        Virginia

S C Gleaves

                                                                        Philadelphia
                                                                                    Decbr 26^th - 46 

Dear Uncle
     I think that I have complied with my promise-a little better than you-have  I have written but as-yet I have not received anything from you-though I can venture your apology-surrounded with the cares of-a family & in some degree constained "by the thirst of wealth" etc- I know nothing more capable of forming -a-barrier" but if you say you will be more puctual in the future-I'll forgive you-
     Notwithstanding my delay you must not expect my letter a treat occuping as I do an isolated position deprived of all sources of news save the gossip of the street which is neither interesting or amusing=
     I have made some visits since I have been here=-the last was for  [  ]  a relation of those being on the [   ] only-to say he is surrounded with every [   poss]essing the most general information of any man I have yet seen
     Though I must confess-my anticipation-wasn't realized on Christmas I expected to see something rather extra=  But I find it is not a day-for the Bon Ton to make their appearance-preferring a more private time= Dan Webster spoke here a few weeks ago on his way to Washington City though you can hear or see some of them every day

     They excite as little curiosity here-as the most common man would in Wythe.
     I am very well pleased with the University-I consider the faculty as very able  There are about 400 students I suppose-some very wild others very studious-I find that it is not as easy matter to graduate as you would suppose-they reject-annually-a great many-though this I consider one great advantage in going to the University your diploma is not bestowed gratuitously you must work for it-in having to do so you know better how to appreciate it
     Dr Chapman is one of the finest men in the world I believe=he is about sixty five-& I'll venture he possesses more wit & good humor than any man of twenty= dealing most- lazily in his anecdotes-to the entire delight of the students you may rest assured
     I am boarding at [Mrs   ] on 8th & Market  I get my board cheap-[   r]ather  rough- In fact I have not [    ]  very good- since I have been here even at the finest hotel where you would expect to fair sumptuously = more ceremony than anything else
     Write as soon as you get this and give me the news local & general
                                  Yours respectfully
                                     S. C. Gleaves
A. T. Crockett