Worcester Oct 7. 66

My dear Friend

Although I confide in your assurances of interest in us and our movements, yet my
self-esteem is small enough to make me question always how far I should impose upon it—In my last (since wh. I have not heard from you) I told you we were decided on remaining here for the rest of the year &^c—Since then an occurrence here, adds to the impatience which we were obliged already to struggle hard to restrain and renders forbearance no longer a virtue—Having failed to secure a military teacher before the opening of school, Mr Metcalf advertised

and received application from a Russian who eight years ago came to this country and naturally drifted to the South, where he taught in a Military School 4 yrs before the breaking out of the War—Married in Petersburg one of the F.F.Vs and when the call to arms was heard of course rallied around the Rebel Standard; obtained position on some Gen'ls staff with title & pay of Colonel. Where he has been since Lee surrendered I do not learn, but he has the effrontery to come here into the very heart of the old Commonwealth and seek and obtain a situation as Instructor in a school where the boys who are to be our rulers bye & bye are having their impressions of political economy &^c &^c implanted—Without consultation with his Teachers Mr Metcalf concluded a bargain with him. He did question to W^m if it would be likely to injure the reputation of the school, but gave him no op^t to suggest even, that there might be a higher & more sufficient reason for rejecting him—and such was W^ms faith that from that one consideration if from no other that he would not take him that when Mr M. took him into the school introducing him to the boys as their Instructor W^m said it took him as a thunderbolt.

In a long letter setting forth the grounds of his convictions W^m has communicated with Mr Metcalf asking to be relieved at the close of this term (Christmas) or sooner if he can supply his place. So far as we have any plan, it is to obtain a house down town if possible

and obtain pupils in schools &^cor if it may be best go ultimately to Boston or elsewhere—Have you aught to suggest?

There is just one ground in which I do not so wholly condemn this Rebel Colonel—If the north had declared its position in defense of human rights at the onset, rather than to maintain the Union, and he had then fought on the other side—It did not—Still if he knew enough to fill such a position as he occupies here, he ought to have known enough to have lent his sword to the right side—He is a smart fellow, agreeable in address, & knows what he is about, but a man of the world without moral integrity—his Wife a Virginian.

I see yr name as still in Pensy^l—I shall hear from you when you find leisure without too much inconvenience.

When are you to lecture in Wor? And when shall we see you here? I hope it may be soon

hastily but always truly

Martha W G