Mary W. Goss

Tues. Feb 17th

How fast this month is passing away, more than half of it is gone; and much wiser and better am I now, than at its commencent? some I hope. Have I made any one else happier or better this month? I do not know that I have.

If the Principal gets out of patience with me, I suppose I shall feel bad; but I shall not blame him.

I was called up to the board, to punctuate a piece that was written on it, this afternoon; and O what work I did make of it! I pointed it wrong, and where I pointed it right, I could not tell why I did it. I was embarrassed, but that is no excuse, if I had felt sure of doing it right, I should have had confidence. Hope on.

Mr. Peirce, in our general lessons yesterday and today, told us something about the influence of the ocean and mountains over the characters of persons living within the vicinity of them. Those nations that have been the most enterprising, and excited the greatest power, have been those living near the ocean; Greece and Italy, for example formerly, now, Great Britain. Africa, has but little seacoast, few rivers, and the people are weak and powerless.

Persons inhabiting mountainous regions have such characteristics, as mountains are calculated to inspire; firm, lofty and aspiring.

Miss Lincoln came to us again, with her smiling face, today. We hope to see Miss Tilden tomorrow.

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Wednes. Feb. 18.th.

School commenced at 1/4 of past 8 this morning. Most of the pupils were present at that time; I entered the door just as the Principal opened his bible; a little too late, I was sorry, but could not very well avoid it.

Miss Tilden visited us this morning. Mr P. very kindly, gave us a respect 2 or 3 minutes, that we might expres to her our joy in seeing her again. She thinks she shall be able to come and stay with us a week from today. Heaven grant that she may. I wish Lucia could stay too.

Our general questions were on phyiology today. If I had had time, I think I could have answered them all, nearly, right. It is a mystery to me, how any one could answer them all in so short a time; I know several did do it. "What man has done, man may do again".

Scripture reading as is usual on Wednes.

Have spent this afternoon in writing my composition to carry in on Mon. Feel very much dissatisfied with it.

Received a call from two Lincoln people; they looked so natural and good to me, I enjoyed it very much.

Poor Fannie Field is suffering from a severe headache tonight. She wishes she was with her mother dear girl, I wish she was too. Who is like a mother?

We will do everything we can for her.

Thurs. Feb. 19.th.

This has been a very successful day in Normalty. When I am successful in my studies and recitations, I feel as if I should be willing to spend years in Normalty.

Our general questions on physiology, were returned today. Mr Peirce thinks they were answered better than usual Some one wrote under mine, "good as far as you have gone but you have not answered half." I know I did not, but I wrote just as fast, as I could think.

We progress very slowly in arithmetic; but I hope we understand perfectly what we go over; it is better to be slow and sure. Our lesson in Geo. was recited more promptly than usual today; the Principal made the recitation very interesting by making remarks in connections with the lesson.

I am more and more convinced of the importance of a teachers having resources within themselves; from which they can draw [illegible] something to amuse and instruct their pupils; and not be entirely dependent upon a book.

O how many things are requisite, to make a faithful, efficient teacher. When I think of the respon sibility resting upon a teacher, it makes me tremble.

It is no light thing to have the training of young, immortal minds.

Such singers and we juniors are, are rare. I should think Mr Bird would despair.

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Friday. Feb 20.th.

A raging storm without, but what care we for ourselves, all is peace and quietness without within this snug habitation. I pity those who are tossing upon the mighty ocean, and they claim a share of our pity and our prayers; we are indebted to the seamen for a great many of our comforts. May the same voice be heard tonight upon the mighty deep, that was heard on the sea of Galilee saying; "peace, be still".

I have studied less time than usual today, for my head has not felt very comfortably this day or two past, it beats fast and hard. I hope I have lived truthfully, I have tried too.

Our exercise in reading was grand this afternoon, I know some of our class, if they try, will make good readers under Miss L.'s instructions.

My heart faints to think of being examined in Punctuation; I hope we shall be drilled in it every day, until we can punctuate a long piece at at glance. I overheard some remarks that were made during the recitations of the School and School master, which made quite an impression on my mind, about dull receitations. The Principal said we did not come to recitations for silent meditations, but for an interchange of thought. A good hint for me. Live and learn.

I have been through the world so far, with my eyes half open.

Feb, Sat. 21.st.

I thought this morning, when I saw how badly the snow was drifted; it would be better not to have any session at school. But how much we should have lost. I would rather have walked two miles, bad as it is the walking, than not have heard Mr. Weiss' sermon.

I took no notes of it, for I was afraid if did, I should lose some of the ideas, as I have not a good faculty of putting ideas in my head and on paper at the same time.

I do not think if Mr W. had written a sermon on purpose for us, it could have been more appropriate or more what we needed. I would rather be the possesor of such sentiments and feelings, as pervade his soul, than anything else; and I know that I can posess them, "with out money and without price". Be wise then, O my sould, and live in earnest, consider the responsibility resting upon thee, from the fact that thou livest, and live not in vain

I can truly say, already, that it is good for me to be at Normalty; so many opportunities for improvement.

Mr P. read an extract from [P.S.I.?] shewing the evils arising from scholars in school using deception, during recitation; its immoral influence over the future character.

No answer from a pupil should be considered as truthful by the teacher, unless it comes from the pupils own mind

Deception should be checked in the bud. It is easier to crush a brittle egg, than to kill a coiling serpent.

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* You journalize very well. With care you will excel.