Letter from Harvey Reid to John Muir, 1861 Dec 29

[4] see Madison again. My parents and family moved two weeks ago to Carroll Co. Northern Illinois, where I shall join them in the spring, and I shall probably not have an opportunity of attending school again. But I hope to still keep up acquaintance there by a correspondence with you. Write and let me know how you like your new occupation, and whether you have achieved any new triumph in mechanics lately. Ever your friend Harvey Reid00282[1] Union Grove, Dec. 29th 1861 Dear Friend John Muir: - It was with the greatest pleasure that I received and [illegible] your letter. it being the first account I had heard from the stone school-house since I left it last summer. I had not known before that I had such an affection for those well- remembered scenes and gentlemanly school mates. I am very glad to hear of the promotion of Capt. Norcross. Although I had not the pleasure of an acquaintance with him, I formed a high opinion of him from my own observation and the praises of his classmates. [Seahy?], too, merits by his really superior talents a high position in whatever 623 [2] enterprise he may undertake. I have often thought with pleasure and [illegible] of the payments of Doc. Carr\u27s lectures which I heard last term, and can imagine the benefit and satisfaction you must have derived from the whole course. Your determination to engage in that whole occupation, training the young, immortal mind to intellectual vigor and moral excellence, is, I think, a good one. Not only will it be of benefit to yourself in giving you a thorough review of the common English branches; but the profession of teaching needs your kindness of heart; depth of principle, and courage in the right, to and in making the youth of our country what a free people ought to be. But, while I see clearly what a teacher ought[3] to be, I am obliged to confess that I fall far short of the standard. I am teaching this winter a school of about 50 scholars, 6 miles from home. It is a very good school - many large scholars - and they all seem to exhibit a sincere desire for improvement. I hope I may be able to perform my whole duty towards them. Wm. [Fuller?] is also teaching this winter - He is still the same old sixpence . He has had several paying jobs of painting this fall, among which was the painting and graining of a new Methodist Church in our village. Goldsworthy has been attending the High School in Racine. The term closed last week. I don\u27t suppose I shall eve