The closing exercises of the academy were held at the Court House. Paintings and needlework by the young ladies were hung on the walls. The pupils were dressed in white and were given diplomas. Singing and recitations were part of the exercises. Mr. John Brace left the academy to take the school of Miss Catherine Beecher at Hartford. When Miss Pierce gave up teaching in 1833 Miss Jones afterward associated with Miss Landon, took charge of the school. Following them were the Misses Swift who lived where Mrs. Kilbourn now lives. Some of the girls in Mrs. Kilbourn’s class were Elizabeth Prince, (Mrs. N. R. Child), Mary Goodwin (Mrs. Taylor) and Mary Brace. LETTER FROM MRS. GEORGE C. SEELYE (ANN ELIZA JACKSON), GENEVA, N. Y., MARCH, 1897. I was but a Child when I attended Litchfield school and of course did not appreciate the privilege as an older person would have done, and I have since. Your letter awoke and quickened memories that have become more or less dormant, so that now I feel the worth of those months of early privilege. The Misses Pierce and Mr. Brace were remarkable persons in every way, _Model_ teachers for those days. Being such a child I was made much of and was very happy. Boarded at Dr. Sheldons. Aunt Lucy (as I called his daughter) was loving, taking me in her own room and bed. The influences in that beautiful home were useful to us all, for the Foundation was religious. Every Sunday afternoon Miss Sheldon called all the boarders into her room and read, talked, advised and prayed with us, not in a morose way at all but in a happy way. Mr. Lyman Beecher was pastor of the Congregational Church and used to visit the school every week, generally had one of his students with him, and held a Prayer and Enquiry meeting. I remember him as a sombre, austere looking man not a bit like his son Henry Ward. He soon went to Boston. As memory goes back I think there was perhaps more true sincerity in Life then generally than now. Time was felt to be more valuable. We were happy without so much to distract us. As scholars we did not feel that we must be entertained and amused. I do not under value amusements they are often Relaxations that are needful, as Lincoln used to say. I love to revert to Litchfield days as among the happiest days of my life. I think Miss Pierce loved me as generally my seat was on the old desk next hers I was a great Pet of Judge Gould. There was a Julia Leavitt of Brooklyn, Sarah Lewis, Eliza Jackson I suppose one of the New Jersey Jacksons. REMINISCENCES OF MRS. EMILY CHAUNCEY CURTIS, 1898.