No letters from home; his popularity

                                     Mrs Malvina Gleaves
                                         Buffalo Ford
                                            Wythe Cty
                                                 Virginia

                                     Philadelphia
                                        January 30th-47
 
Dear Father & Mother
     I believe if I had the capacity of a Napolean sufficient to employ three or four amanuensis, I would then receive as I do now the salutation.  Why don't you write oftener?
     I don't know what to think of it.  Instead of digressing from my promise I more than comply with it-sometimes writing oftener than two weeks.  But let us see to the contrary when did I receive a letter from any of you every two weeks=  No - but scarcely once-month-with the exception of the one just at-hand-  I believe it has been more than a month  Imagine then my situation, I didn't say you neglected me-but there is some derangement in the mail-else you would get one every fortnight (But enough)
     I don't believe I have any news of importance except I am well and progressing with my studies better than I expected.  If the medical faculty would confer the degree after tending one course-I believe I would come forward in the spring  I know I am as well if not better prepared than some second course students

who anticipate graduating in the spring- I don't say this to boast but I believe I could graduate in the spring
     There are about 400 students in the University- amongst all the Professors I believe Dr Chapman is the favorite-for myself I like Dr Gibson as well as any-I met Dr Chapman in the University a few days ago the old Dr is very fond of snuff never using it in the presence of students without asking them to take some he did so on this occasion- I told him I didn't use it he replied quickly Do you drink?  I replied not much= he then said you are as imaculate as a spirit=
     I had the pleasure of being invited to two parties not long ago-Dr Hodge & Gibsons  I dressed in my best and went ahead disregarding the advice of a Chesterfield on observing in the least the rules of D’orsays Etiquette-but with an air peculiar to alone-to a mountain rustic determining to taste a little of everything-at the risk of my life I believe I succeeded and doubt if any one left with a more heterogenious mass -than I-

     Those Braids can be obtained from 4 to 10.15 dollars-If I had of had any opportunt  of sending one to Aunt Margaret I would I am afraid she is angry about it but I can't

 help it-I will have those combs ready by the time William Gibbony comes on-

     I am still boarding at the same place (Mrs Lumpers) it is not one of the best houses as it respects fare-but is as cheap as any I could get.  One of the Old Lady's daughters is to be married in about two weeks.

     I have received an invitation already but the only one in the house of the students you may judge of my popularity with the family

     There has been no deaths amongst the students in the University but in the Jefferson School-there has been two-

     Poor fellows I never think about them but what I am deeply impressed with the expression of The Poet
     "They died alone from friends
      None to administer say the hands of strangers"

     The session will be out about the 15th of March

                        Yours Respectfully

                           S. C. Gleaves