NEW HAVEN, Feb. 16th, 1880. MY DEAR MRS. GRAY In accordance with my promise I have written to my Aunt for some reminiscences of her school day at Litchfield under Miss Pierce’s tuition and having secured a reply, I hasten to communicate it to you. [Illustration: PL. LXIII.—MARY PIERCE _b._ August 3, 1780. _d._ June 22, 1863 From crayon portrait by Rouse ] She says “she can not tell what gave the school such a reputation and success, unless it was in part from the rarity of such schools at that period in our country. When she was one of Miss P.’s pupils the school numbered from 50 to 60 girls. Miss Pierce attended to all the classes herself except, when occasionally assisted by her nephew, Mr. J. Brace. The studies were the common English branches including History, the text book for which was compiled by Miss Pierce herself, and she does not remember that any other ones were taught than those in use in other schools at that time.” But she adds, “Miss Pierce was an earnest christian woman, a perfect lady, mingling with her pupils pleasantly and familiarly, but with dignity. She always sat with them and often talked to them collectively of deportment, manners, and habits.” And here I doubt not lay the secret of her success and celebrity, her personal influence and example, forming their principles, and their manners, and making the memory of their school days so pleasant. In addition to the common branches of education Drawing, Painting as Water-color, and Embroidery were taught. I am aware that this is but a meager and unsatisfactory account, but as my Aunt was but 13 years old when under Miss Pierce’s care it is not to be wondered at that she cannot give more particulars of the methods of instruction then employed. I trust however that what I have written will not be without interest, although it may not be new to you; but it will certainly be an added proof of Miss Pierce’s high toned character and singular usefulness to her generation that an old lady of Eighty has been able to recall so much. SKETCH OF MISS MARY PIERCE. BY MRS. ASA GRAY. Mary Pierce was a woman of uncommon force of character, and yet with a boundless sympathy for all, which lasted all her life. Her grand nieces would laugh at her after she was eighty, saying they had quite outgrown her in her sympathy for young people and their romantic sentiment, to which she was always ready to listen, to understand, to help. For she was very wise in her counsel, and had more confidences than falls to the share of most people. Many a faltering step she strengthened, many a lofty aim she gave, many a kind deed of thoughtfulness she suggested, the receiver never suspecting its origin.