Letter from Sophia Eastman to Mehitable Eastman

It is nothing uncommon for people to get married and then part from there husband. There are three who board here and there husbands have left them. Tell brother if he should get tired of Sarah he must come and live here How I should like to have James and Sarah come here and see me they would enjoy their visit so well

Write when you shall be here

My dear Parents and Sisters. West R.July 25, [43?]

When you write tell me what Mr Ripley said everything

Although tired and fatigued, I sit me down to write. I suppose you have expected a letter long before this time, but I thought I would wait until I had become better acquainted. 1st, I will tell you of my [journey] which was very pleasent. Mr Alcana Bean got into the coach at Sandbornton and went far as [Hookset]. He was very sociable and paid me good attention. He said he had known Father for a long time. spoke very highly of Edward and Charlotte, and all Mr Ripley and thought him a very fine man. as he had a great deal of buisness to attend to at Concord. When I arrived at Concord I gave the driver fifty cents, asked him to carry Aunt Abigail for the same price which he did. I then took Lowell. Mr Bean advised me to go on in a day, he said Mr [Pana?] was sick, and he thought is would be as cheep and much more safe, and comfortable. I bought a ticket which was two dollars and fifty cent., I see that my baggage and Aunt A was, safe on [foarol?]. When we arrived at Lowell Aunt A left me. At half past four I arrivesd at the great [?] of Baston. I did not feel at all frightened or confused (as you imagined I should) at the huge masses of buildings and ^the multitude of people I saw. When seated in the Coach I told the driver to carry me to the Office of "French of Virtue." On our way we over took the Omnibus. The driver stopped and I asked the Hackman if he would carry me out to West Roxburry. He [?] in one half hour he should go. I then told the driver to leave me at the [stage?] Office which he did. I went up those winding stairs that ^you told me about to the Parlor and in less than an hour, I was aboard the Omnibus [wending?] my way to the Community. I arrived at the Rev George Ripley's [?] little post set in the evening, feeling much fatigued. I called for the Rev Mr Ripley; he was absent. In about five minuites I was asked out to tea in the presence of about ninty all entire strangers. They seemed to {stare?], at me with astonishment and surprise but I think I was never treated with more politeness and attention than I was ther. After tea Mr Ripley came in and reseived me very cordially. He certanly is one of the most beautiful men I ever seen. He is tall handsome, wears very large whiskers, and is prepossessing in

manners. I think I never saw a man who could gain the love of another as soon as he will. [?] [?] one of the teachers took me to her room, told me how she came there a stranger, how she felt [?]. She took me out in, the garden, told me the names of many ladies and gentleman who were playing on the [?]. Mr Ripleys sister, Mrs Ryehman, a lady from New York who boards there, asked me to walk to the Pilgram house. She then took me to the cottage, and, bid me good night, and I was glad enough [?] I will describe to you the situatoin of the place. It is certonly a delightful place; although very different from what I imagined. There are four seperate buildings. The Pilgrim House, the Eyrie, Cottage, and hive, where we eat our meals, and all that come[?]. They are [sittuated] about as far from each other as our house is from Mr [Hunly] there is no aristocracy prevailling here, although many complain of being neglected. I think there would be a [?] [?] but you know it is against their principle, but they treat me with as much kindness and respect as though I paid five dollars a week for board. You recollect the plan of this community speaks of [receiving] no [individuals] unless capable of refinement, a great taste for literature, and possessed of superior abillity but I assure you there are a great many the reverse the fact is they are rather dull and backward in there studies, and I am inclined (to think some will always remain so, though there are many pretty ladies and gentleman and some [mean][charters] I should think (I judge only from looks and appearances.) There are three horns blown in the morning the first is sounded a little before five, the second half past five, and the third at six, to call [them?] to break fast. I [?] after breakfast. I proceed to the [ironing?] room, which is to the Pilgram house (or to the [?room] just as they wish me to) and there remain until the horn sounds for dinner, which is half past twelve, the work is very hard and wearing to the constitution. It is now [wasation?] many of the teachers are absent, and the study at our rooms. Mr Ripleys sister is my teacher. she is a old maid and is one of the most presise beings I ever seen. I can describe her in no other way only to say she resembles old Mrs Clay very much indeed ( I think Mother would like her on that account) though she is called a very worthy person. We go to Mrs. Ripleys room at four, and there remain three hours. The remainder of the time we stay at our room. The [advantages] here are not as good as I imagined neither do I think there can be so much [improvement] made here as at some other institutions, but I like very well and I shall probably stay here six months, or a year and prehps I may my Educatin here if I can stand it to work as hard as I now do But I find I have grown [pale] and poor already though I feel pretty well most of the time. you will now wish to know what there religions principles are, I

regret to say many have no principles at all But very few attend chirch on the sabbath, and it is a fast they do [knit] and [?]. On [sunday] Mrs Riplry invites them to the grove where they spend a few hours [?] reading gipsy stories. I have seen many things myself which I shall not mention here. A carriage is provided in the morning for those that wish to go to church. I have walked one Sabbath, and rode two the Unitarians when I attend is [two?] miles from the community. the [?] half mile. I [dislike?] the principles very much [indeed] and I know my parents and sisters will not approve of this, but you know any one is not obliged to [inbibe] be these sentiments. There are four ministers here who have [renounced] there senstments and became [transcendentalist's] they seldom attend church on the Sabbath. A person, that comes here is apt to get into the habit of staying at home on the Sabbath, but I mean to attend constantly. the truth is that this institution is something like the Shakers after a person remains here a short time they become attached to the place and are unwilling to leave and saw the association there are about sixteen or seventeen members. But I think I should never be willing to join them, but I feel somewhat [attached?] to the place although I have been here so short a time. I suppose you have heard from me by way of Mr Ripley as he said he was going to write to Father. He [?] a [great?] about Pa and said he hoped my parents and sisters would visit the community. They have [come?] from cities and states, and always treat them with great hospitolity and politeness. I know you will enjoy a night here and I want you to come in the fall it will be so pleasant here. Elizabeth Cone called on me in the morning, In the afternoon she sent for me to spend a few hours, had a pleasant time I think her a very pleasent pretty young lady. They all thought me a little girl about fourteen years of age, and seemed surprised when I told them I was older. They seemed to think I posessed great courage to come so far and among strangers but it is just what I like I can see that they like me very much but it [?][?][?] to be in such a place, and to get the right [side] they all appear[uncommanly] interested in my welfare Why it is I cannot tell. the girls appear very fond of me because [^they say I] appear so cheerful and happy. If they feel [?] spirited they come ^to my chamber I [have] assisted many of the young ladies in there studies. I Have written one letter for a lady to her Mother who was 3 or 4 years my seniar My room mate is enjoying "Natures sweet repose" [and] I will describe her, she is a native of Ireland and is a [?] she is a very good girl but rather ignorant not such a person as I should wish to have for a companion and friend but I make a great [deal] of her and she appears to like me very much she is a [?] Catholic that I think she is a Christian, If father is [sick] besure and let me know it immediately I think a sight about this you may send me a paper [?] if you please

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I would not send a paper to Mr Ripley [?] after he has so many he will not read for he has so much buisness to attend to [?] this when you think it propper and write all the news you shall hear form me by way of Uncle Moses and the letter shall be written in a different style from this there has been three or four [?] here all this evening and have kept up a continual talking there is a dancing school to night and it seemes to be all confusion. They have balls dancing schools and all manner of amusements but I have attended none of them

amusements

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Miss Sophia Ann Eastman in care of Ben [Geose]

But I feel excedingly tired and must bid you Good Night it was six o'clock when I began this letter and it is now after ten Tell Mother not to be concerned about me for if I am sick I shall be taken good care of when you write tell me where Edward is that I may write him kiss Betsy for me I should like to hear her sweet voice if any of the family should be [sick] or [?][?][?] you had better write to the Rev Mr Ripley as I might get it sooner The mail goes out and comes in every day

Good Night

Sophia