I saw him drink no wine, although there was plenty about him, nor did your father and mother who saw him dine at the United States Hotel.  If you do not like him because he tastes wine, how can you like Henry Clay who drinks it freely?  Mr. Webster drinks wine also.  At a Whig festival got up in Boston in his honor, at which he and 1,200 other Whigs were present, there were drunk 2,300 bottles of champagne, two bottles to each man.  Mr. Clay attended balls at the Springs.  He had a slave with him to wait on him and hand him water to clear out his throat while he was speaking; and this while he was preaching liberty and declaring what a fine thing this freedom is!

While at New Rochelle Susan becomes greatly interested in the culture of silk-worms, upon which the principal was experimenting.  She writes home full descriptions and urges them to ascertain if black mulberry trees grow about there; she herself knew of one.  She insists that the sisters can teach school and take care of the silk-worms at the same time, but evidently receives no encouragement as no more is heard of the project.  She retains the keenest interest in every detail of the life at home.  She sends some cherry stones to be planted because the cherries were the largest and best she ever ate.  A box of shells is carefully gathered for brother Merritt, and sent with a grass linen handkerchief for sister Mary.  She sends back her mother’s shawl for fear she may need it more than herself.  In the currant season she writes that nothing in the world would taste so good as one of mother’s currant pies.  She urges them to send her part of the family sewing to do outside of school hours.  She frequently walks down to Long Island sound, a mile and a half away, and says at one time: 

The sun was passing toward the western horizon, and all seemed calm and tranquil save the restless wash of the waves against the beach.  A gentle breeze from the water refreshed our tired bodies.  To one unaccustomed to such scenes it was like a glimpse into another world.  In the distance one could see the villages of Long Island, but I could think only of that village called home, and I longed every moment to be there.

Her school commenced May 23 and closed September 6, a term of fifteen weeks, for which she received $30, and she expresses her grief that, after having paid for necessary clothes and incidentals, she has only enough left to take her home.  She reaches Center Falls in time to assist in the final preparations for the wedding, on September 19, 1839, of her sister Guelma to Aaron McLean, a prosperous merchant at Battenville.

Susan’s next school was in her home district at Center Falls, where she was very successful.  One incident is on record in regard to the “bully” of the school.  After having tried every persuasive method at her command to compel obedience, she proceeded to use the rod.  He fought viciously, but she finally flogged him into complete submission and never had any further trouble with him or the other boys.  She was, however, very tender-hearted toward children and animals.