1836 December 31, Hav. College, to Father, Philadephia

              Haverford 12 mo 31st 1836Dear FatherThis is the last letter I ever expect to date with “old 36”. Thee will receive this on New Years day I expect & if so may take it as thy new years present from me. I have not directed my letters which I wrote home, to thee for some time because I had seen thee so much oftener than the other members of the family. I received Marys poetical epistle yesterday it was very acceptable I do not know whether I shall be able to call the Muse to my aid in answering it but whether it be in prose or rhythme she may expect an answer soon. We had a lecture on Temperance by ….. Clark (I do not know his first name) yesterday. He gave but a short lecture yet arrived at the end of all temperance lectures vis the pledge before he was done. He wanted all the boys who would be willing to sign the Temperance pledge if their parents were to stand up, but Master John said he would not be willing for the boys to do it. He talked very foolishly I thought about sticking pins into your hand, getting cracks with [shinies?], tumbling on your head &c to explain that you