LETTER TO COUSIN ELEANOR

The Bullis archives contain a number of Nettie Bullis's letters.  We have chosen her June 12, 1910 letter for this post--as a reminder of the "lost" art of letter writing as well as its content of Bullis family history.

Document #116     From Nettie to Cousin Eleanor     Dated June 12, 1910     Address: Macedon, NY

"My Dear Cousin Eleanor:

If mental telegraphy could but convey our thoughts to our friends you indeed would be gratified with what has been going on in my mind, of you for a long time. An account of innumerable cares and duties, together with my school studies, I am unable to keep up regularly a correspondence with my friends, but I do however, find time to think of them and wish I could have them near to talk with.

How good it seems to see summer again, yet it is so cold that were it not for the green leaves and the flowers, one almost might call it autumn.

I had hoped that I might graduate this June, but my eyes failed me so that hope was abandoned. I am wearing glasses now which are giving me great relief. Two days of our examinations are over, three more days of them this week. Then for a summer vacation I am going forward to it eagerly, for there is so much reading that I want to do could I but find a few leisure moments.

The class colors this year are blue and gold, with the white rose as the flower. The motto is 'Nihil sine labore.' Charles graduated from High School last year, and has not been going to school this year, which I fear has caused aunt Lydia considerable worry.

What have you been reading lately? Though I presume your school studies keep you so busy that you find but little time to indulge in such pleasures as reading.

Whenever papa goes to Rochester, (at least once a month) he comes home with four or five new books.

I am sorry that I could not have seen you again, that summer you were in Macedon, for I felt that if we could have had a visit by ourselves we would have become better acquaintences with each other.

Did you go to the Brown University when you got through at the Friends School? I have heard and read quite a little about this university lately, and have taken an interest in it.

Maud said they were looking for aunt Lydia any day, that magazines had been coming for some time. Aunt Helen and Uncle Stephen are taking a rest at Medina for a few days.

I hope that you will forgive me my tardiness in writing, and favor me with a letter.

Affectionately,
Nettie"

REMEMBERING ABRAHAM LINCOLN

On this day 150 years ago Abraham Lincoln's life was ended by an assassin's bullet. Rather than think about that tragedy, let's spend some time remembering the life of that great president. Many books have been written about Lincoln, and we're recommending to you one that is in the Bullis Collection:

Lincoln and Men of War Times

by A. K. McClure

published in Philadelphia by The Times Publishing Co., 1892

A. K. McClure wrote from his perspective as an editor of the Philadelphia Times and a Republican powerbroker of the day.   He included in his book a facsimile of Lincoln's May 23, 1860 letter to the president of the Republican National Committee, in which he accepted their nomination of him as its presidential candidate for that year.

Please visit us in the Bullis Room to look through this book and learn more about our country's 16th president. (And while you're there, please browse through some of the other great books on the shelves.)

PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF U. S. GRANT

Published in 1885-86 by C. L. Webster & Co. in New York, this two-volume edition contains plates, maps and facsimiles that help tell the story of Ulysses S. Grant's military career during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.

You can stop by the Bullis Room and read this biography from cover to cover,  if you wish,  or focus on  Grant's account of his American Civil War experiences.

This is a good time to refresh and add to our knowledge of the war between the states, since this month is the 150th anniversary of General Robert E. Lee's surrender to General Ulysses R. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia.

And - just a reminder - the shelves in the Bullis Room contain a number of other good books on the American Civil War.  If you stop by, we'll  lead you to them.