Girl Student at Ipswich Female Seminary in 1863 writes a 14-page letter manuscript on Her Student Life and Her Literary Ambitions

19th c. Women Education, Girl Student Life

ALS : Autograph Letter Signed

Emily Hodgson. Women’s education and suffrage activist. Autograph Letter Signed by Hodgson on December 31, 1863. 14-page letter on from the seminary days of author Emily Hodgson, profiled by close friends and suffragists Frances Willard and Mary Livermore in A Woman of the Century (1893). 8 x 5 inches. 14 pages of lined, white stationary. At this time, Hodgson was a student at the prestigious Ipswich Female Seminary, an early school for girl students, where she wrote in lively prose about the New Year’s party she prepares to surprise her classmates, and hints at her early literary ambitions. About living in a dormitory and celebrating New Year's Eve with other students: "Such a gay time as the six damsels, that board in this house are having tonight! As we are all ''young ladies" Mrs. Cowles has given us permission to sit up till quarter past twelve. I was commissioned to provide refreshments, arrange the table etc., and really I feel quite proud... None of the girls except my assistant have as yet seen it and I know they do not expect to see quite such a grand affair (grand for Boarding school) ... " New Years Eve don't come but once a year" I hear one of the girls exclaiming. I know they are coming to see why I am so long- Sure enough- and now they are gone..."

About her early writing attempts: "I have had a letter come from an old teacher of mine. And I know you won't think me vain if I send it to you, for as you fly so hard to have me do well and are the means of my enjoying myself so much and giving what enjoyment I am able to others around me, I know it will please you to see that I sometimes succeed ... she like Mrs. B is not ordinary woman ... she is a very finely educated lady... and I feel pleased that she should like my feeble endeavors. The lady, Miss Briggs, who writes the note enclosed, has been composition teacher here for a long time. You would hardly judge from this not which is far from a good letter from her) that was very easy and elegant with her pen. She has written three or four prize essays and won the prizes."

Ipswich Female Seminary was founded in Massachusetts in 1828, and the school's focus was on preparing girls for careers as teachers and missionaries. It offered a "rigorous curriculum," including study of English, arithmetic, geography, chemistry, human physiology, history, the natural sciences, religion, vocal music, and calisthenics, and placed an emphasis on "standards of personal conduct and discipline." As part of their preparation, students practiced teaching with guidance from school instructors. Mild toning and a few light stains. All sheets except 1 have minor tape repairs at folds. In very good condition. A unique and personal piece of early Female Education history.

Item #17071

Price: $285.00