I have not yet taken my first lesson in agriculture, except that I went
to see our cows foddered, yesterday afternoon. We have eight of our own;
and the number is now increased by a transcendental heifer belonging to
Miss Margaret Fuller. She is very fractious, I believe, and apt to kick
over the milk-pail. . . . . I intend to convert myself into a milkmaid
this evening, but I pray Heaven that Mr. Ripley may be moved to assign me
the kindliest cow in the herd, otherwise I shall perform my duty with
fear and trembling. . . . .

I like my brethren in affliction very well; and, could you see us sitting
round our table at meal-times, before the great kitchen fire, you would
call it a cheerful sight. Mrs. B------ is a most comfortable woman to
behold. She looks as if her ample person were stuffed full of
tenderness,--indeed, as if she were all one great, kind heart.

* * * * * *

April 14th, 10 A. M.--. . . . I did not milk the cows last night, because
Mr. Ripley was afraid to trust them to my hands, or me to their horns, I
know not which. But this morning I have done wonders. Before breakfast,
I went out to the barn and began to chop hay for the cattle, and with
such "righteous vehemence," as Mr. Ripley says, did I labor, that in the
space of ten minutes I broke the machine. Then I brought wood and
replenished the fires; and finally went down to breakfast, and ate up a
huge mound of buckwheat cakes. After breakfast, Mr. Ripley put a
four-pronged instrument into my hands, which he gave me to understand was
called a pitchfork; and he and Mr. Farley being armed with similar
weapons, we all three commenced a gallant attack upon a heap of manure.
This office being concluded, and I having purified myself, I sit down to
finish this letter. . . . .