Manuscript Letter Detailing Princeton Seminary from a Student to Mentor

Princeton, New Jersey, 1836. Very good. Toned. Letter folds, remnants of wax seal to final page. Tape repair and short open tear to lower leaf.. Manuscript letter addressed to the Rev. John McCluskey from a Seminary student, William. G. Bell, who graduated from the Seminary in 1836 and became a pastor in Missouri. The letter discusses the Princeton Seminary and contains invaluable information about life there in the 1830s. For example, Bell describes the instructors as "very learned men" of "eminent ability & merit", and laments the imminent departure of one Wm. Bradley at the end of the next "session" (i.e. semester, perhaps). Bell praises the lectures of Dr. Alexander, but notes that Dr. Buch(?) has not yet "devoted his entire attention to his official duties". Bell is concerned by the lack of housing for students, stating that "Boarding is not only scarce, but excessively high, especially in private families. It can always be had in the refectory, this however will be the last resort with me". He praises the school in offering "a liberal course of study" in which the students "imitate the ancients by attending the lectures of different instructors of distinct institutions". He ends the letter asking for his correspondent's reply. Bifolium (10" by 8"), addressed and postmarked. Accompanied by modern transcription.