Friday night
My dear Sister
The children have been here four days
and I am just commencing the letter I promised –
Frances has written a long letter and I suppose told you
all we have been doing – Wednesday I went with Henry
and Caroline to the “Academy of the Visitation” at
Georgetown – We rang the bell when a priestess opened
an inside door separated from us by wooden grates
and enquired our wishes – She was clad like the
Sisters in black with a black hood – We made known
our desire to see the Lady directress – she ushered
us into a small reception room separated from
another room of the same kind by an entire partition
of wooden grates – The Lady Directress soon made her
appearance and commenced a conversation on the
other side of the grates – She was clad entirely
in black with a white band around her head
and a black hood – She is a fine looking
woman – well bred and pleasing in manner –
After conversing a while she enquired if we would
like to go over the rooms – We were then admitted
by the priestess (who carried a ponderous bunch of keys)

[top Margin]
has written you a letter — Willie and
Fred send love
When are you and Pa

x

Elijah Miller

Birth: 1772-04-11 Death: 1851-11-13

coming — Love to Clara

x

Clarinda McClallen

Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05

your own
Sister —

the other side of the grating and proceeded over the
establishment which consisted of a large study room
recitation rooms, music rooms — lecture rooms
dormitories &c all in perfect order and the cleanliness
only equalled by the Shakers – We did not see
the eating hall – every pupil is required to bring
2 knives and forks 2 spoons a bed bedding and
napkins – the rooms are chiefly heated by furnaces
The regulations are strict – Pupils are allowed to visit
their friends one day every month – to see them
at the Seminary Wednesday’s and Fridays –
I think it altogether an excellent place for a child
whose early education has been as sadly neglected as that
of Caroline – If habits of neatness and order can be acquired
any where I think this is the place – Caroline is willing
to go but I think not very desirous – She will remain
here until after Newyears as there is a vacation
for the Holidays – The next day I adjusted an
affair which has occasioned me some trouble – Frances
purchased her shawl by my advice — which would
have been judicious had she been willing to have worn
a long shawl – the square shawl though very pretty is
not warm enough for cold days and she requires some
other outer garment – I knew that she was not quite
satisfied though she did not at first admit it –

Considering myself responsible for the mistake I have returned
her the $30 which she paid for the shawl – with this
she can get whatever you or v she think suitable –
I dare not trust my own judgement again – I wish
you were here to advise us – Yesterday she brought home
from the store a merino cloak with velvet trimmings
which was very pretty but I did not think it worth
$30 which was the price – There is nothing pretty here
of velvet – I had written to her while at Philadelphia
to procure something there but Fred’s coming so soon
prevented this – I am very sorry for I fear it makes
her uncomfortable as such things always have more
weight with young persons than they deserve — So
far the weather has not been so cold that I have
required more than my square shawl – I[ f ] you have
any thing to suggest write us all about it –
Thursday Henry and I dined at the Presidents with about
#40 guests chiefly members of Congress and their wives
I being the only Senators wife Pr present was honoured
with the Presidents arm to Dinner – the Vice President
followed with Mrs Bliss – Mr & Mrs John & Mr Mrs
James King of N. York were there – I enjoyed the
evening very much – the President was very sociable
Henry says he looked at no one else but me
during dinner – I like him and his family – They
are sensible unpretending people – The President apologized
for his slight knowledge of etiquette – I told him
he had always been occupied with affairs which I

considered infinitely more important – Henry Clay was
there but very quiet – he looks old – Mr Winthrop
and his new wife were there – Mr & Mrs Brooks
of the Express – Capt Forest (in full naval uniform)
and Mrs Forest — The dinner was handsomely served
the plateau graced the center of the table –
ten courses before the desert – a variety of wines
but no healths drank – We sat down at 6 and
rose at 9 – took a p cup of coffee in the
drawing room and came directly home –
This is probably the largest assembly I shall
meet this Winter – Mourning unless afflicted
in recent does not excuse one from accepting
an invitation from the President – I am not
surprised that the Gen— complains of the exactions
of etiquette – Washington in this respect approximates
much more nearly to a court than any other
society in the Union – I find it next to impossible
to ascertain just what is required about visits –
I told the Gen - I thought they should have a book
like the Army regulation and reduce such matters
to a system that might be studied – It is said
that Col. Bliss has an arduous task to make his
father in law comply with ^its^ the requisitions – Henry
Fan and I go this morning to call on the ladies of
the Foreign Ministers – and make some other calls less
important my list is long – We are to go in Mrs
Wilsons carriage with Oscar in livery – Our furniture
from Philadelphia does not come so that I am
unable to say anything about Denis – I have not
written half I wish but will write another sheet
by and by – Dear little Fanny