Particularly interesting because both mother and daughters go far beyond a recitation of their daily routines and health, the correspondence includes thoughtful discussions of society and manners, family and friendship, literature and learning, and a lady’s code of conduct. Mary and Louisa describe in elaborate detail every aspect of their collegiate experiences, furnishing an intimate view of the experiences of female college students at the turn of the century and of the power of education on the lives of young women.
Joan Marie Johnson sets the letters in context with a historical introduction and provides full-text transcriptions of more than 190 letters. Noting that their northern education did not diminish the sisters' keen sense of place, Johnson tells how their post-graduation activities, including the founding of a regional women's magazine and holding of leadership positions in national women's organizations, illustrate the hybrid character of southern loyalty and progressive activism.
