[It may, perhaps, be well to explain that "appointments" were given at Yale to those who excelled in scholarship.

"Philosophical Oration" was the highest, then came "High Oration," "Oration," etc., etc.] I have left Mr.Mallory's store and am helping papa in the Geography.

Shall remain at home till the latter part of next summer and then shall go to London with Mr.Allston.
The following extracts from two letters of a college friend I have introduced as throwing some light on Morse's character at that time and also as curious examples of the epistolary style of those days:-- NEW HAVEN, February 5, 1811.
Dear Finley,--Yours of the 6th ult.

I received, together with the books enclosed, which I delivered personally according to your request.
Did I not know the nature of your disorder and the state of your _gizzard_, I should really be surprised at the commencement, and, indeed, the whole tenor of your letter, but as it is I can excuse and feel for you.
Had I commenced a letter with the French _Helas! helas!_ it would have been no more than might reasonably have been expected considering the desolate situation of New Haven and the gloomy prospects before me.

But for you, who are in the very vortex of fashionable life and surrounded by the amusements and bustle of the metropolis of New England, for you to exclaim, "How lonely I am!" is unpardonable, or at most admits of but one excuse, to wit, that you can plead the feelings of the youth who exclaimed, "Gods annihilate both time and space and make two lovers happy!" You suppose I am so much taken up with the ladies and other good things in New Haven that I have not time to think of one of my old friends.
Alas! Morse, there are no ladies or anything else to occupy my attention.
They are all gone and we have no amusements.