MANUSCRIPT: HCL (G 4). Ink.

PUBLICATION: Home 401-402.

John Graves had graduated in the previous August and was now serving as principal of Orford Academy, Orford, New Hampshire. He had recently become engaged to Fanny Britton, daughter of one of the founders of the school. The allusion to "our April" is probably in recollection of the time, two years before, when John stayed with Emily and Susan Gilbert at the Dickinson house, while the family was in Washington (see letter no. 157).