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bernard_b1f5_001
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Some of the images and language that appear in the digital collections depict prejudices that are not condoned by the University of Mississippi. This content is being presented as historical documentation to aid in the understanding of both American history and the history of the University of Mississippi. The University Creed speaks to our current deeply held values, and the availability of this content should not be taken as an endorsement of previous attitudes or behavior.
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Dr. Frederick Robert Bernard Collection (MUM01719). Archives & Special Collections, University of Mississippi Libraries.
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Saint Paul March 8th/58 Dear Sister On the recpt of your letter of 22nd Nov I was fully resolved to comply with your request to "Set an example of punctuality" by replying immediately but time has passed rapidly away this winter with me and I find nearly four months have gone and that resolution, like many others that I make has not been carried into effect. My business has occupied both mind & time pretty exclusively and as I have no [illegible word] & Mrs. Bernard is away I think you will excuse the delay. You have certainly before this heard the sad tidings of the death of our Brother. It is very hard for me to school myself to think that he has passed forever from our sight and society. When I left him last spring in Phila he was apparently in unusual good health and I had no thought of that being our last meeting but it has been so ordered and however great the bereavement we must submit. How hard it is for his poor wife with her helpless children and time along can reconcile her to the change. Such things however are occurring to hundreds every day of our lives and we are only able fully to appreciate eh force of such a calamity when it is brought to bear upon us individually. Indeed [illegible word] seems to me little less than folly to mourn for the loss of our friend inasmuch as the same fate inevitably awaits us, and at no very distant period [illegible word] farthest. I would have been glad to have excepted your invitation to visit you in your sunny southern home. I have never been south of the Ohio River and would enjoy a visit to your country, mush. But the general crash in financial maters rendered if necessary for me to stand to my post through the winter and I shall look forward to the time when I can accomplish the visit with pleasant anticipation. You must not suppose because we are in high northern latitude that our winteres are unbearable. I think you would be very agreeably disappointed if you were to spend a winter here. We have very cold to be sure, as indicated by the mercury but out atmosphere is so dry that you suffer less than in warmer damp climates. I have never yet been thoroughly chilled by long exposure here as has been the case in my native country with a difference forty degrees in favor of the latter. In short we have had the pleasantest winter weather I ever experienced. The engraving on the first page of this sheet will give you a pretty correct idea of the location and general appearance of our young city although in many particulars it is very incorrect it was taken from a point on the opposite side of the river form which a large number of the houses could not be [view] and makes it appear much less that it really is. I have dotted the steeple of the [illegible word] house opposite is where I live also marked the point where my office stands so you may become acquainted with some of the important points of our town. I expect to leave here in a few days for [Paoria] to attend to some business and will likely go on home and make a short visit before returning here. Emeline wrote to me last week saying they were going to leave St. Louis 1st March So I will not get to see her this time. they are going somewhere into the southern part of Missouri. Our family is getting pretty [illegible word] scatterd. Wont you and [illegible word] be able to make your visit to Chester while I am home I would be delighted to meet you there. When you Brothers & sisters write to of your children being able to ride horses and other feats they perform which I can remember when I first done them myself and thought myself almost a man, it makes me feel as if I were growing older, time slips away to fast I realy had not thought of your oldest son being 6 years until you reminded me and I began to count. I would like you & Saml would write me oftener if you can spare the time. Please present him with my kindest regards & your Babies with innumerable kisses. And believe me as ever etc Your Brother Reuben Bernard Mrs. Sarah G. Bernard Lake Providence