I was requested, 5th day evening last, about 7 o’clock, by one of the scholars, to step out and view the Aurora Borealis, which she said was extremely brilliant and beautiful.  When there I looked towards the north, but discovered no light, and then to the zenith, which was indeed very magnificent; “but,” said I, “that does not look like the Aurora, it is more like the light from a fire,” and upon investigation we found it so to be.  The light appeared in the east, we walked in that direction, when we beheld the flames bursting forth in stupendous grandeur.  Not a bell was heard, all was calm, with the exception of the minds of some of the scholars whose parents resided in the city.  The scene indeed would have been to the eye extremely pleasing, were it not for the reflection that some of our fellow-beings were about being deprived of a home, and perhaps lives also.  We learned a few minutes after witnessing this phenomena that the fire was occasioned by the conflagration of a large board yard near Market Street Bridge.

After many affectionate messages, she says: 

I have not had but one real homesick fit and that was one week from the night Father left us.  I felt then as if I were taking leave of him again; in fact the tears have come into my eyes as I write that last sentence; but do not suppose I carry a gloomy countenance all the time, far be it from that, yet oft I think seriously of home and the endearing ties which bind us together.  Father, we will look at the sentiments, and not the Orthography and Grammar of thy letters, in which I did discover some errors.

She frequently admits that her sister admonishes her, “Susan, thee writes too much; thee should learn to be concise,” but she delights in letter-writing and says: 

Most of the girls are taking a walk this First day afternoon, but I did not feel like enjoying myself by accompanying them as well as in holding sweet communion in writing with those inestimable friends I so dearly love, and arranging those thoughts in a manner congenial to our feelings....  The query naturally arises, at least to the thoughtful mind, How has our time since the last Annual revolution of the Earth been employed?  Have our minds become improved from passing occurences, or do they remain in that dormant-like state which so often degrades the human soul?

She comes down from her lofty heights far enough to add, “It would have afforded us the greatest pleasure imaginable to have dined on that Goose in company with you on New Year’s day.”  It is Susan’s diary, however, which affords the most satisfactory glimpses of her true character, serious, devotional, deeply conscientious and strong in affection: