Correspondence (outgoing)

I used to speak too fast, and very indistinctly often running one word into another, {Head?} I have declaimed slowly, I should have enphasized better and spoken much more distinctly - I was never a good declaimer and pretty much to the end of my school days. I did not know how to remedy my defects, nor hardly in what they consisted. People who speak indistinctly where thee is no natural defect seldom are aware of the fact. Your Grammar will fast become easier as you advance. I am inclined to think that one of the greatest causes why beginners find grammar difficult is that they do not understand the meaning of the words and terms they are constantly using. I hope therefore you will take pains to study them out whenever you do not understand them. Continue the study of grammar until you thoroughly understand its principles, And in fact let it be your motto to understand everything thor oughly before you quit its study. In the acquisition of knowledge progress as fast as possible, But by this I do not mean pursue many studies at one time nor study incessantly, to pursue just as many studies as you can cleverly manage, without tiring your mind, keep your mind fresh. Spend a portion of each day in conversation. Converse generally with those older and more advanced than yourself. You can learn

[much?] from conversation, [it?] will help [you?] digest the ideas you acquire, and their retention. For associates seek the older and more advanced students you will not only learn more but have a better standing in school, for everyone is respected pretty much as are his associates. In conversation do not be too ready to speak. Every one is most inclined to hear himself talk. Every one loves a good listener in conversation, by being a good listener others will be pleased to impart to you their knowledge. Strive to be on good terms with the professors, do not, moved by the vivacity and [restlessness?] of youth permit yourself to be engaged in amy of the little scraps of your fellows. Be assured they are no honor to you, not even among your fellows. If you are correct in your deportment perhaps the Profs will sometimes come to you to find out who are the guilty ones in the scraps, do not be an informer. You are not at school for that purpose, and are not obliged morally to incur the ill will of your fellows. When you know of these things and are asked about them, tell the professors candidly you cannot inform. Maintain a strict regard for truth in all you say and do. In short, be a gentleman always. If your chum is not older and farther advanced than yourself and high toned in his feelings change him as soon as possible and procure such a one.

Read some every day. Always have at least one good book lying on your table. Read carefully, endeavor to understand and remember what you read. When as you read you find your mind wandering from your page and that you have not well taken in its contents, read the page over again. By this you will gradually acquire the habit of fixing your attention upon what you read. You will often find your mind wandering from the page to other subjects. By rereading it over again you inflict a sort of punishment upon your mind which it will be sure to [heed?] finally. I have taken my dear Brother the [privilege?] of an Elder Brother and given you some advice. I mistake you if you will not receive it kindly. It is such as my past experience [suggests?]. Write me frequently, write freely. I will sympathise with you in your difficulties and advise you should it be necessary. I am obliged to Prof Favil for his remembrance. Assure him and Mrs. Favil that notwithstanding the wear and tear of years since I was their pupil, they have as warm a place in my heart as ever. Tell them I shall ever remember with pleasure our past intercourse and their friendship. You think you are safe from the ladies, because two unfortunate students were expelled for taking a ride with them. Be not so sure young hearts are sometimes lost by the glance from a bright eye.

COPY Fort Washington, Jan. 5th, 1850

Dear Brother. I received with much pleasure your letter of Dec. 9th. Its style I think very good. And I think from it notwithstanding your now finding it difficult to compose a composition, you will in time find it not very difficult. In writing your compos write simply, put down your ideas whatever they are in language that comes easily but be sure the language expresses your idea correctly. Arrange your ideas in as good order as possible. Do not strive by any means to use that kind of language commonly termed "high flown". I can well understand your troubles in regard to compositions. I have not forgotten the trouble they used to cause myself. If your composition contain sensible matter do not fear for its reception because it is short. Take care not to have in a sentence that has not some direct reference to the subject about which you write. When you sit down to compose have your theme fixed clearly in your mind. Then you are almost sure to have a unison of ideas. In declaiming, speak slowly. This is necessary in order to speak distinctly. Cultivate a proper emphasis. In my early declaiming I used to speak too fast, and very indistinctly often running one word into another. Had I declaimed slowly, I should have emphasized better and soon spoken much more distinctly. I was never a good declaimer and pretty much to the end of my school days I did not know how to remedy my defects, not hardly in what they consisted. People who speak indistinctly where there is no natural defects seldom are aware of the fact. Your Grammar will fast become easier as you advance. I am inclined to think that one of the greatest causes why beginners find grammar so difficult is that they do not understand the meaning of the words and terms they are constantly using. I hope therefore you will take pains to study them out whenever you do not understand them. Continue the study of grammar until you thoroughly understand its principles and in fact let it be your motto to understand everything thoroughly before you quit its study. In the acquisition of knowledge progress as fast as possible. But by this I do not mean pursue many studies at one time nor incessantly. No, pursue just so many studies as you can cleverly manage, without tiring your mind, keep your mind fresh. Spend a portion of each day in conversation. Converse generally with those older and more advanced than yourself. You can learn much from conversation. It will help you digest the ideas you acquire, and their retention. For associates seek the older and more advanced students. You will not

only learn more but have a better standing in school, for every one is respected pretty much as are his associates. In conversation do not be too ready to speak. Every one is most inclined to hear himself talk. Every one loves a good listener in conversation, by being a good listener others will be pleased to impart to you their knowledge. Strive to be on good terms with the professors, do not, moved by the vivacity and [restlessness?] of youth permit yourself to be engaged in amy of the little scraps of your fellows. Be assured they are no honor to you, not even among your fellows. If you are correct in your deportment perhaps the Profs will sometimes come to you to find out who are the guilty ones in the scraps, do not be an informer. You are not at school for that purpose, and are not obliged morally to incur the ill will of your fellows. When you know of these things and are asked about them, tell the professors candidly you cannot inform. Maintain a strict regard for truth in all you say and do. In short, be a gentleman always. If your chum is not older and farther advanced than yourself and high toned in his feelings change him as soon as possible and procure such a one.Read some every day. Always have at least one good book lying on your table. Read carefully, endeavor to understand and remember what you read. When as you read you find your mind wandering from your page and that you have not well taken in its contents, read the page over again. By this you will gradually acquire the habit of fixing your attention upon what you read. You will often find your mind wandering from the page to other subjects. By rereading it over again you inflict a sort of punishment upon your mind which it will be sure to [heed?] finally.

I have taken my dear Brother the [privilege?] of an Elder Brother and given you some advice. I mistake you if you will not receive it kindly. It is such as my past experience [suggests?]. Write me frequently, write freely. I will sympathise with you in your difficulties and advise you should it be necessary. I am obliged to Prof Favil for his remembrance. Assure him and Mrs. Favil that notwithstanding the wear and tear of years since I was their pupil, they have as warm a place in my heart as ever. Tell them I shall ever remember with pleasure our past intercourse and their friendship. You think you are safe from the ladies, because two unfortunate students were expelled for taking a ride with them. Be not so sure young hearts are sometimes lost by the glance from a bright eye.

Affectionately your Brother Leland Stanford

To Thos. W. Stanford, Esq. West Poultney