Sallie Darlington to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 10 December 1860

[From Sallie Darlington in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She sends a pattern for a Zouave jacket, and describes how it is worn; mentions Elizabeth's future home [in Yancey Co.], and wonders if it is wise to send Georgiana to West Chester, with "a great deal of society," then back to the "quiet, retired life of a plantation"; and says their school is flourishing.]

West Chester Dec. 10th/60

My dear Mrs. Bowditch,

Your letter would not have remained so long unanswered, had I not been waiting for the pattern of the Zouave jacket , which I now send you. As you will see, it is very little else than one of those sacks which have been worn for so many years. This is generally worn over a garment made just like a man's shirt, with a bosom and collar and sleeves with wristbands. They are made of velvet, cloth or any kind of material and lined and trimmed to fancy. They are also worn merely as sacks over ordinary dresses, and are then not lined and are made either of flannel or merino. I have stitched the pattern together, and think you will have no difficulty in understanding it. I presume it will about fit G'a,1 as my sister Mrs. Evans2 has one made from it, and I judge from your description of G'a she must be about my sister's size.

I am glad to hear Mr. B.3 is so well pleased with your future home, and I do not doubt he will enjoy his new life there extremely. From your description of it, I infer it must be somewhat isolated and most probably there is not much society very near, and I have sometimes felt a doubt as to whether you were acting very wisely in sending G'a for a time where she would necessarily be thrown into a great deal of society and then perhaps after she has acquired a taste for it, withdraw her to the quiet, retired life of a plantation. Have you thought of it and viewed it in every light? You will, I hope, fully understand and appreciate my motive, in making the suggestion, for I do assure you I have none other than your and Georgiana's happiness. If you have duly considered it and still think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, I am willing, as I told you before, to take G'a and to try and discharge my duty toward her faithfully and as though she were my own niece; for if she comes, I shall endeavor at once to establish just the same feeling of confidence between us, as though that relationship really existed.

Our school is flourishing beyond our highest expectations, and consequently I am very busy. The female department numbers about sixty and the Normal department the same, so that we have quite enough to keep us all employed. I have three young ladies in my house this winter; they are from a distance and their parents wished them to be under my immediate care out of school.

I am very glad to hear Mrs. Owen4 is flourishing so well with her school. Please remember me to her most kindly.

Will you not write again soon? Remember me to Mr. B. and believe me as ever

Yours sincerely

Sallie

  1. Georgiana Abbot Bowditch (1848-1927), Elizabeth's daughter
  2. Jane Darlington (1817-1895), Sallie's sister
  3. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband
  4. Mary Blount McCotter (1811-1876)