Diary & Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes

Volume I [1834 – 1860]

[Page 103]

GAMBIER, June 28, 1842.
MY DEAR MOTHER:--In the letter I wrote you a few days
since I said nothing definite about your abiding place while you
remain at Gambier. I did not mention it for the very good reason
that, for the life of me, I couldn't tell where you would find
shelter. There is no public house here and all of my old friends
were crowded and so I concluded to put my trust in Providence
and wait till you come. Today Professor Ross came up to my
room and said he had understood that some of my friends were
to be up and that he should expect them to make his house their
home while they remain on the hill. I accepted his invitation for
you and you will now have the very best place on the hill for your
stay. Mr. Ross is afraid that he shall have so many ladies to ac-
commodate that perhaps Uncle will have to sleep somewhere else,
but he will live at Mr. Ross' also. I'll take care of Uncle, how-
ever, and do it at least as well as it was done at Worthington
last spring.
I hope you will get here Tuesday afternoon and stay at least
till Thursday. I shall not go home so soon as that. I wish you
could let me know when you will get to Mount Vernon. At all
events, when you get here go straight to Professor Ross' and
there you'll be at home.
Love to all.--Your son, RUD.
My Franklin money is no go.--Please bring me as much as
thirty dollars, specie-paying banks.
MRS. SOPHIA HAYES.

Volume I [1834 – 1860]

[Page 104]

GAMBIER, July 18, 1842.
MY DEAR MOTHER:--The package and money sent by you and
Brother William were duly received. I am sorry Fanny will not
be able to return to her family as soon as was anticipated; but
from the favorable account of her health given in William's last
letter, I presume there is little reason to fear that she will be
forced to remain in her present situation for many weeks.
This is probably the last letter I shall write you before the
close of the session. Our examinations will be finished Wednes-
day next, and I shall have nothing, or but little more to do be-
fore Commencement. I expect to ramble about the country to
recruit my health between now and that time. Not but I am
hearty enough now, but the late freshet has brought an abundance
of fish, game is plenty, and the weather so warm that hunting
and fishing will be my chief occupations.
I am nearly prepared for Commencement. A few hours' labor
and my studies in Kenyon College are finished. You will be here
if possible, and I wish you to write immediately and tell me what
calculations you have made, who you are coming with, at what
time, etc. I will make preparations to have you accommodated
as well as circumstances will permit. On the day of our exer-
cises I can not be with you but a few moments. I hope you will
have good company with you. On that occasion, we are often a
good deal crowded. I think you will enjoy yourself very much.
It is something quite new to you.
If you make no arrangements with those who are to be your
companions about the time you will stay and the place, I will see
Mr. J. W. Miller. He will be glad to show you every attention at
Mount Vernon and will probably come out here with you. You
had better come to Mount Vernon Monday evening, before
August 3. You will then have time enough to see the beauties of
this place. Or if you prefer it, stay a few days after the close
of the term. You will have no chance to see much the last day.
I prefer that you would stay a short time after Commencement
if you have any time. However, it will be a great time with me.
Anyhow, I shall not pack up till all is over and will not leave for
home till Saturday, when two or three of us intend to hire an old
apple-cart, or some other genteel conveyance, to carry ourselves
and an extra amount of lumber to Columbus.
I don't know what I have said above. I am in wretched haste,
but what I mean to say is that if you will come, you shall find a
home and the company that is with you; only, you must send me
word right off. And I would rather you would have company to
return with you, as I shall not leave for some days. If Uncle is
here you can go down with him.
Well, I haven't bettered it any, but I expect you will know that
I wish you to come and to write immediately.
Bryan's eyes are improving. He will, I hope, be ready to speak
at Commencement. He was sorry he could not have called to see
you again, but his time was all taken up during his short stay in
Columbus. He wishes to be remembered to you, etc.
Everybody is well here, I believe. We had two weddings the
other night. The "74" is torn down and the grass-plot in front
of college is being mowed by a little stumpy lazy Englishman.
No other news.
Love to all.--Your affectionate son,
R. B. HAYES.
P.S.--Bring plenty of money. Perhaps my Franklin money
will not answer all my purposes. I find it not readily taken for
debts, though current enough in trade.
MRS. SOPHIA HAYES.

Volume I [1834 – 1860]

[Page 107]

Columbus, November [12], 1842.
MY DEAR LITTLE DIARY: -- You have not heard a word from
me for six or eight months. How anxious you must be
lest I have been "worked off." But cease your troubling. I have
not yet "shuffled off this mortal coil"; but I have finished my
college life, and one of the shreds or strands of the "coil" is
severed. Yes, my dearest, college scenes and pleasures have all
passed by, and you shall hear no more of the petty strifes, wild
sports, and extravagant desires which make up the sum of a
student's life.
I have parted from the friends I loved best, and am now
struggling to enter the portals of the profession in which is locked
up the passport which is to conduct me to all that I am destined
to receive in life. The entrance is steep and difficult, but my
chiefest obstacles are within myself. If I knew and could
master myself, all other difficulties would vanish. To overcome
long-settled habits, one has almost to change "the stamp of
nature"; but bad habits must be changed and good ones formed
in their stead, or I shall never find the pearls I seek. Of these
matters you shall hear more at another time. For know that I
design to make you the repository of all my secrets, the confi-
dential friend before whom I shall spread my troubles and diffi-
culties, my hopes and fears, and to whom I shall resort whenever
whim or inclination prompts me to make a transcript of my
thoughts. You may, therefore, expect to hear sundry things con-
cerning my progress in the study of law, and my ideas generally
of the things around me. Do not feel any disgust at the apparent
egotism which will characterize my epistles, for I tell you in ad-
vance, that I am the hero and principal character of every scene;
and at every future rising of the curtain the tallest feather shall
overshadow my brow and the brightest jewel will glitter in my
crown.
I commenced the study of law in the office of Sparrow and
Matthews the 17th of October last. Blackstone's "Commenta-
ries" occupy my attention first.

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Columbus November 19, 1842.--Another week has passed,
and a careful man should post his books every Saturday night
to know how he stands with his customers. This is the rule for
a business man. Is it of no importance to the student to know
how he stands with his books, himself, and the world without?
If dollars and cents are worthy a merchant's long train of ac-
counts, are no memoranda needed by the student to ascertain
how he has improved each hour as it passed? Shall he alone
neglect to balance his books? No, no. To him "time is money"
--nay, more than money. Gold that's lost, renewed exertion
may regain, but time once fled is gone forever. Then, let me give
an impartial statement of what I have done, and what I have
left undone, not only during the week past, but also during the
whole month since I commenced the study of law.
I have read upwards of seven hundred and fifty pages of
Blackstone, being an average of more than one hundred and fifty
pages per week; also fifty pages of Chillingworth, an average of
ten pages per week; also one hundred and fifty pages of logic,
an average of thirty pages per week. Five pages of German
committed to memory, together with the general rules of gram-
mar and construction which applied. Besides this, I have read a
good deal of what may be denominated trash, and which has
been injurious. Some one hundred or one hundred and fifty
pages of Milton and Shakespeare may be reckoned as offset to
a portion of the above-mentioned "trash."
The quantity of information contained in the pages read, if
once acquired, would be a sufficient reward for the cost in
labor and time. If the amount passed over is only considered,
my month's work has been a good one, and a large balance ap-
pears in my favor. But there is another element which should
enter into this account, viz., the manner in which the work has
been executed. In order to ascertain this, it is necessary to say
something of the end in view, and then we may speak of its
attainment.
In studying Blackstone's "Commentaries," the object should
be twofold--legal information and mental discipline; and suc-
cess in the attainment of one of these ends implies success in the
other. If mental discipline is totally neglected, little legal infor-
mation will be acquired, and vice versa. The important powers
to be disciplined in studying a work like Blackstone, are the mem-
ory and attention. The other great powers of the mind, as ap-
prehension, judgment, and reasoning, are of necessity called into
action. But Blackstone's style is so clear that his meaning is
seldom obscure, and he is so prespicuous in the statement of the
reasons for what he says and in his explanations, that great ex-
ertion is not requisite to comprehend him. As it is all plain read-
ing, the attention is the only power especially exercised. If this
is well done the memory by natural consequence will be engaged.
Thus much for what should be done. Now to what has been
done.
My attention has not been so exercised as to acquire the in-
formation and discipline which would satisfy my desire. And
consequently I am not satisfied with my month's work in Black-
stone.
My chief object in studying Chillingworth is to discipline the
reasoning faculty. I found my task easier than I anticipated, and
accomplished more than I expected to when I commenced. Yet
I have not done as much as I now know I could have done. On
the whole, this account balances.
In the study of logic, my object being only to refresh my mem-
ory, was accomplished. In German I have made respectable
progress, but I must do better in future. In my miscellaneous
reading I have been injured by permitting mself to read news-
papers. I must curb my propensity to this as I find it no benefit.
I am satisfied that for this month I have been greatly deficient
in many particulars. I have studied long enough each day and
each week throughout the whole month. I have passed over
sufficient ground. The deficiency is in the execution. My rules
for the ensuing month shall be made out soon.

Volume I [1834 – 1860]

[Page 110]

CAMBRIDGE, August 27, [1843].
DEAR MOTHER:--I did not keep a diary while travelling
from the West, but I can easily give you an account of my perilous
adventures and hairbreadth escapes. Like St. Paul, I have passed
through dangers by sea and perils by land. We had several
alterations in the weather, sunshine a little, storms frequently,
and rains oftentimes.
At Sandusky City I saw Will Lane and spent a few minutes
with him. He urged me to decide on staying here a year and
a half, as he is coming in a year and would like to spend a few
months here with me. I met Julia Buttles on the boat on her
way to Cleveland; spent the first evening on the lake very
pleasantly in her company.
At Buffalo I gallanted Mrs. Pease on her first shopping ex-
cursion to the fancy stores, gave her what little instruction I
could in that most important accomplishment of city ladies--
shopping, found her a very quick and ready scholar. In fact,
she soon excelled her teacher. If she could take a few lessons
from Cousin Sarah she would easily become proficient. At
Buffalo I left the wedding couple on account of my anxiety to
reach here by Commencement, which I learned was to take place
in a few days.
I stopped at Niagara. I spent three hours rambling about the
falls. I should like to spend a week thus, and will the first good
opportunity I have. To be appreciated and enjoyed, the falls
should be studied as much as any other great poetical wonder (as
Milton or Shakespeare). I was disappointed in the first impres-
sion. At a glance, it appeared like a sort of mill-dam affair.
The "second sight" altered the impression for the better. The
third--but, as Mr. Vandeman would say, "and so on."
The Lake Ontario route I like very much; fine boats, fine
towns, and beautiful scenery are not the only attractions. From
Oswego to Boston the travelling was by canal and railroad, slow
and swift, monotonous and changing, but nothing to attract par-
ticular attention except the passengers of which we had the usual
variety--old women with squalling children and old maids with
barking poodles, young men with foppish airs and young women
with silly smiles and sillier tongues, crazy students, and all cre-
ation driven by the cold rains from Saratoga gambling home,
complaining of all the ills of flesh from the gout to the headache;
groanings over lost umbrellas, crushed bandboxes, and wet
weather. In short, there were all sorts of men and all sorts of
women, in all sorts of humours and with all sorts of troubles,
which afforded me material for all sorts of reflection and all
sorts of fun.
All in good time I reached Cambridge, found acquaintances
who treated me like gentlemen, got a room and boarding-place
to suit, was introduced to the professors with whom I am much
pleased, and was duly registered as a law student. The first
studying will be done tomorrow.
The commencement exercises were interesting; not better than
the best average of Kenyon exhibitions. The ceremonies were
very imposing. All the great men of this State except Webster
were present. John Quincy Adams looks exactly as his pictures
represent him. He appeared to enjoy himself well. No man
applauded more heartily when anything good was said. A fine
address was delivered before one of the Societies by Mr. Hillard.
This is a beautiful place. I took a walk with my chum to
Mount Auburn. I need not speak of its beauty. Hedges is my
roommate. Eight Buckeyes are here, old acquaintances. Three
of the Middletown lads of Webb's. MacNeil took his room last
night. Judge Swan, I saw in Boston. His son entered college.
I am well pleased here. My table is too low to write on. Ex-
cuse scrawl this time. I'll write to Fanny in three weeks. I
shall be kept busy, so don't crowd me by urging me to write
often. I'll do it when I can.
Find out if you can Dickinson's first name. Love to all; a
kiss to Laura without the "No you don't."
Your affectionate son,
R. B. HAYES.
MRS. SOPHIA HAYES.

Volume I [1834 – 1860]

[Page 112]

Cambridge, August 28, 1843.--After having studied law for
ten months under friend Sparrow in Columbus, it was deemed
best that I should enter the Law School of Harvard University,
where I could receive the instructions of those eminent jurists
and teachers, Story and Greenleaf. In accordance with this
opinion of myself and friends, I came here and entered the Law
School last week. The term commences today. Whatever reso-
lution and ability I have shall now be brought out. I have much
lost time to regain and my mind to discipline. The institution,
teachers, and students I like. My roommate (Hedges of Tiffin)
is a good one; my other associates (Buckeyes, too,) are of the
right sort. What is then wanting to ensure success in my win-
ter's work? Nothing but my own irresolution or folly. Then--
then; but no, I will not resolve.
Cambridge, August 29, 1843.--Yesterday we heard the intro-
ductory remarks of our learned professors. After speaking of
the object of our assembling, Judge Story proceeded to remark
on the requisites of a finished legal character. He spoke at some
length of the advantage and necessity of possessing complete
control of the temper, illustrating his view with anecdotes of his
own experience and observation. His manner is very pleasant,
betraying great good humor and fondness for jesting. His most
important directions were: Keep a constant guard upon temper
and tongue. Always have in readiness some of those unmeaning
but respectful formularies, as for example, "The learned gentle-
man on the opposite side," "My learned friend opposite," etc.
When in the library, employ yourself with reading the titles, title
pages, and tables of contents of the books of reports which it con-
tains, and endeavor to get some notion of their relative value.
Read Blackstone again and again--incomparable for the
beauty and chasteness of its style, the amount and profundity of
its learning.

Volume I [1834 – 1860]

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Harvard, August 31.--"Law is the perfection of human rea-
son, the wisdom of all ages. Whatever is not reason is not law.
If these trite sayings are true, it follows as certainly 'as the night
the day' that precedents must not be slavishly followed, but in
every case reason and justice should prevail, although the strong-
est current of authorities runs to the contrary."

Volume I [1834 – 1860]

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September 10.--I have visited Mount Auburn, Bunker Hill,
Prospect Hill, and the Navy Yard, and find them all what they
are represented by travellers to be. A bad sentence. I'll say no
more of my trip for fear of making worse.
Moot court was held for the first time today. The arguments
of counsel were certainly very good.