West Point Feb 16^th 1844
My dear Cousin
I received your mother’s kind letter
yesterday and am glad that she enjoys such good
health this winter; tell her that I am much in-
debted for the kind wishes that she expressed for
my welfare and success at the Academy.
I hope that you enjoyed yourself while at Auburn
and that the party was agreeable to you, Fred,
Mother says, “did not partake much in the
enjoyments of the evening,” Clarence undoubtedly
made up for his deficiency on that respect and
must have been of great assistance to you in enter-
taining the young ladies. The winter here would
be rather dull for you I presume, there are few
or no parties, sleighs and “sleigh riding” are
very rare; mathematics are here supposed to
contain charms far superior to any of these amusem-
ents, and if I am not able to solve equations, find
the area of surfaces and solids, and measure all
lines straight, croocked, or curved by next June
it will not be because I have not been drilled

enough at them, and the Professors I am sure can
say that they have done their duty at least with
good consciences.
We get up at 6 am the morning breakfast at 7,
are occupied with studying and recitation from
8 to 1 when we have dinner at 2 we commence
studying again and continue until 4 and
also in the evening from 7 to half past 9; our
duties are the same every day except Saturday
and Sunday, Saturday afternoon is given for
recreation, Sunday we are obliged to go to
church at least once.
I hope to see you and your mother here next
June when the corps are in camp should I
pass my examination, studies are then put
aside for two months. Give my respects to your
Father and Mother
Your affectionate Cousin
A H Seward