0355----1843 Nathan Woodward Batavia NY letter at Union College Schenectady

0355----1843 NATHAN WOODWARD BATAVIA NY LETTER AT UNION COLLEGE SCHENECTADY Rare 1843 letter from well known Batavia resident and attorney Nathan A. Woodward (1818-1900). Writing while a sophomore at Union College in Schenectady NY to a close friend (B.S. Russell) in Lewiston NY. Woodward writes of his studies, reading, life philosophy, a little religion, death of a student, present classes, etc. He graduated with the Class of 1845. Not sure if friend Russell attended Union College in an earlier class, but he has attained his "A.B" degree as the address indicates. According to the letter, Russell is teaching in Lewiston. Woodward previously attended Henrietta (NY) Academy and Canandaigua (NY) Academy. As for the death mentioned above, I was able to determine the student was 18 year old Oliver Dennett from Rochester NH, who passed away at the college on April 10, 1843. (see research). Apparently, Dennett attended Wesleyan U in Middletown CT, left after 1 year and enrolled at Union College. As you will read, Woodward was very saddened and apparently "stood by the death bed." I have uploaded a few research items for your review. They are NOT included with the sale of this letter. You will find a fine bio of Woodward, his obit, a Union College class list, and also a few things concerning Oliver Dennett. As for the letter, it is 3 pages long, and in very good condition. Difficult to read, but transcibed at about 90% Union College Schenectady May 6th 1843 Friend Russell Yours of April 25th brought with it an agreeable surprise and unexpected pleasure. For although I have often thought of other and former times and friends, and of yourself in particular and occasionally made inquiries I have only been able to ascertain that you were teaching at Lewiston but in regard to your “outgoings and incomings” (which as I am a full blood Yankee would be highly interesting to me). I have all along remained in ignorance. I have a thought like the worn mariner tossed on the perilous deep, arrived at the long wished for haven (if I may use the expression) Struggle I have had to and --- but let that pass --- by the blessing of Heaven and my own good hands I am here and by that same blessing and the same hands I am I hopes still to go onward --- but why say hopes when I stood by the death bed of one of the best scholars in our class --- certainly to my mind, he recited the most perfectly of any student I ever heard, so easy and naturally yet accurately, at, none but students witnessed his last mortal struggle and the final extinction of his earthly hopes. One Monday examined with the class and the next Monday the death dew gathering on his brow --- and all because he had formed high hopes and labored too closely for their realization. But probably too close application will never ignore my humble self ---- for I have long since learned to moderate my expectations down to something like reality and must say under such circumstances there is little danger of over creation. In regard to the students life I must say it is the life for me and if I were to picture a fanciful Heaven instead of a “fine hunting grounds beyond the western sky” --- but stop I will not indulge the fancy! But to say the least the “reality” is full equal to the “anticipation.” The brightest spots in memory’s page are those days + hours I have devoted to books, and I think I can safely say that I have enjoyed most when the most deeply absorbed in my studies. Not that I am invisible to all the other enjoyments of life but a passionate fondness for books is among my earliest recollections – yet circumstances over which I had no control have hitherto kept me in check and probably I never shall be able to obtain as intimate an acquaintance with them as I should desire to have. In regard to my own “ideal standard of excellence in scholarship I must say” Hills peep over hills ands Alps on Alps arise.” The more I learn the more I find to learn and the less that I have learned appears. Your advice in regard to the best course to pursue in “regard to reading and general literature at the expense of the sterner studies” came very opportunity and for it I would tender you my sincere thanks. I had been hesitating some what course to pursue with reference to this subject as I find some pursuing one course and others another here. I have however been rather inclined to the course you recommend though at the risk of being called a “poler” to use a college phrase and have as yet acted upon that impression. ??? events I had the good or ill fortune to get a “mad” bill last term of which there were perhaps 8 or 10 in a class of 55 which was the no. of our class. It has since increased so that at present nos. between 60 + 70 students. The whole no. here in college at present of all classes is probably not far from 250. What do you think of the exercises in the literary society of college Debating Declaration Comp + C? And in regard to writing do you think time --- a large portion at least --- can be spent better in composition? There is an opportunity here of taking what is called the scientific course and thereby throwing aside Greek after the Freshman year but there are but few students here take such a course and I think I shall rather take Greek extra in junior or Sen. year that adopt such a course. Which of the modern languages will be of the most use to a freshman German + French are “all the go” here. We have just had a vacation of 3 weeks and the term has commenced again. I spent my vacation here very pleasantly “poling” on Greek and Latin + miscellany. I suppose you find something to study or read if there is an opportunity of studying no other book you have the book of human nature spread out before you with all its various colored leaves. His a book I try to study sometimes but find no end to its instructions. I believe it to be one of the most practically useful studies a man can pursue. Students isolated as it were from the world are apt to know little of man as he exhibits himself in everyday life. But I must close --- I had a letter from Col. Browning a few days ago. I hope in the meantime if this letter is not so egotistical as to disgust you will ??? me with another as an answer. Excuse the execution. (Writing along left border) “In” the lexicon of youth which fate reserves for a bright manhood there is no such word as “fail” but “Vita labore dedit mortalibus” and “Nil mortalibus arduum est” are truths to be kept in mind. Write again as convenient blige yours. Meanwhile I remain Your sincere friend N.A. Woodward (Cover) Mr. B.S. Russell A.B. Lewiston Niagara Co NY Woodward (Cancel) – Schenectady NY May 9 (43) You will find a fine bio of Woodward, his obit, a Union College class list, and also a few things concerning Oliver Dennett. As for the letter, it is 3 pages long, and in very good condition. A little difficult to read but I have transcribed below and estimate I deciphered about 98% of it. Union College Schenectady May 6th 1843 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *