the mark what may be expected from others. And if these reports are to have an influence simular to this our Situation will be sufficiently embarrassing If in all this plain expression of plain truth I am in error "Let the Reighteous smite me; it shall be a kindness; and him reprove me; It shall be an excellent Oil which shall not break my head."
I will now proceed to give the "fullest elaboration" of the whole subject my time will allow. Accompanying this letter is a rough pencil sketch of the building presenting a ground plan simply of the 1st 2nd and 3d stories, and the dimensions of the building. You will see what parts are finished the uses to which the building is appropriated &c I 'think it was erected in 1842 or 3. Broth Hmes I think was the architect or had a principal hand in superintending it. It is a good building, good frame so far as I can judge, and well put together It may well be doubted if there was any considerable exhibition of economy in the erection. Where the Ls or wings join the main building the pitch of the roof is thrown against the main building most unwisely and this occasions some leakage in the heavy rains of winter. The belfrey leaks a little also. The gables are not regularly finished & painted as is the rest of the building only roughly boarded up; the cornice is not done There is no base-board and full half of the sash for the third story is missing.
There is no lime and mortar on any wall in the house. Those parts which are finished are ceiled with boards and some considerable expenditure will be necessary to finish the building but I should think from one to two thousand dollars would be alsufficient to finish it, It is not in ruins. IT IS NOT [being] INJURED BY THE RAINS. We do not let property go to waste after that fashion and it looks 50 per cent better than it did two years ago but their is great room for improvement and soon as practicable some considerable amount of work should be done. A cardinal error was committed in not having ONE LARGE ROOM about the premises the chapel on the 1st floor and the school rooms on the 2nd are 24 by 17 each and these are the largest. As yet we have no church in Salem & the Chapel in the Institute is the church, when a building for a church proper will be commenced I cannot tell but our rooms are too small for the accomodation of the people. Con
