e; but thinking is not
in fashion. So far as I can learn, the thinking done here is confined to
thinking of what others think about them. Aunt was originally taught to do
everything by rule. Custom has become with her a second nature. Her manners
are called fascinating; but to me they are formal and chilling. I suppose
they are perfectly well suited to those who desire only the fascinating.
You have taught me to desire something more.

"I find myself deficient in the easy command of language which seems so
natural here. I have been astonished to find what an easy flow of polished
and tolerably correct language is possessed by some with whom language
might rather be regarded as the substitute for, than the instrument of,
thought. It must be owing to practice; though it is a mystery, to me how
persons can talk so smoothly, and even so beautifully, without ideas.

"I have seen a great many new things. I will tell you all about them when I
get home. I long for that time to come, though it be only two days off.
Every one has so much to do here, or rather in in such a hurry, that, were
it not for my uncle's mercantile habit of keeping his word, I should not
expect to see home at the appointed time.

"I am glad I came, for many reasons. I did not know so well before how
little the external has to do with happiness. As persons pass by and look
through the plate glass upon the silk damask curtains, they doubtless think
the owner of that mansion must be very happy. Now I believe my dear father
is far more happy than my uncle. I do not believe that my uncle's
magnificent parlors (I use strong language; but I believe they are regarded
as magnificent by those who are accustomed to frequent the most richly
furnished houses) have ever been the scene of so much happiness as our own
plain _keeping-room_ has. I would not exchange our straight-backed chairs,
which have been so long in the _home-service_, for the costly and luxurious
ones before me, if the _adjuncts_ were to be exchanged also. I long to sit
down in the old room and read or converse with my parents, by the light of
a single candle. I prefer that homely light to the cut-glass chandelier
which illuminates the parlors here. I love to see beautiful things, and
should have no objection to possessing them, provided the things necessary
to happiness could be added to them. Of themselves, they are insufficient
to meet the wants of the heart. Instead of being discontented with my pl