![\"C\"](\"https:\/\/44parkave.com\/holdernewt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/C.jpg\")
<\/a>Postmark Syracuse, addressed to Mary E Knickerbocker, Tooker\u2019s Female Academy, Poughkeepsie N. York, Care of J. C. Tooker<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n
This letter is written in pencil, which is unusual and Emma excuses herself for doing so. She closes with a cryptic post-script, signed with another name but in the same handwriting. There do\u00a0not appear to be any traces of invisible ink, rather, a reference to Immanuel Kant’s idea that if you wear green glasses, you think the whole world is green – that what you perceive is not necessarily what is true (my apologies to philosophy majors for probably getting that wrong). As Emma and Mary were both well-educated at the Poughkeepsie Female Academy<\/a>\u00a0it’s not unreasonably to expect that they would have learned of Kant.<\/p>\n Her full name is derived from the fourth letter in this series from Almira Culver<\/p>\n Syracuse Feb 18th [probably 1854]<\/em><\/p>\n My dearest Mary,<\/em><\/p>\n 1 know that you have reason for being displeased at my negligence but \u201cnot having time\u201d must be my plea again, a rather poor one I suppose you think but were you in my place you would think differently.<\/em><\/p>\n Poor dear Nelli <\/b>how unfortunate she is to be ill so many times away from home but I presume she had the best of care. I feel rejoiced that it did not prove fatal as I feared it would when I received your dear acceptable letter.<\/em><\/p>\n Maria\u2019s <\/b>letter I received this morning I will answer it in a day or two, meanwhile give her my best love.<\/em><\/p>\n Is Miss Platt<\/b> still there and does she act just as usual? Is Mary Pulver<\/b> there? and did she receive my letter?<\/em><\/p>\n How is your dear brother I hope better if not we will rely on the promises of our Heavenly Father \u201cwho doeth all things well.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Has Miss Jessop <\/b>returned home? I am sorry that I could not find time to write her before she returned, but it was impossible I suppose she is much \u201churt\u201d (?) as she terms it.<\/em><\/p>\n Do not forget to give my very best love to Misses Noyes<\/b> and Dickson Culver<\/b> & all that inquire for me.<\/em><\/p>\n Dear Lizzie on the first of April we are going to remove to Elbridge 15 miles west of this place, and next summer you must come and make me a visit.<\/em><\/p>\n I have been there visiting for a long time.<\/em><\/p>\n I think you must be very much surprised that I write with a pencil, but it is twilight and it is so much more handy so pray, excuse me for being so impolite. The library must now be a source of comfort to you girls, but I don\u2019t think it got any more than it needed. Now Lizzie write directly and then I will answer it as soon as I get it, so that we can hear often from each other and send me your home direction please.<\/em><\/p>\n Yours true,<\/em><\/p>\n Emma<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n Perhaps you cannot read all of this but you must put on your green glasses.<\/em><\/p>\n Minnie Marvin<\/b><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t
\n