Jamaica Plain
20th， December 1840
It is not， my dear Arthur， because I “have so little to say to you” that my letters are short， but because bad health and many engagements oblige① me to such economy of time. You know， too， that writing is of all occupations， the very worst for my malady， and as I must do a great deal at any rate I abstain always when I can. Bear this in mind， and don’t measure my interest in your pursuits， or affection for yourself by the number or length of my letters.
I continue to manage very well. We banquet② on pork rather more constantly than is agreeable to a “true believer” like my self.
My other life continues its usual course. I have been to hear the Sonnambula， but with scarce more satisfaction than our fastidious Richard derived from his concert， of which， I suppose， he has given you an account.
The news of Ellen’s illness was sad to me both on her account and Mother’s over whose visit a cloud is cast at once. Mr. Keats’s letter to me was kind and clear. She will have， I am sure， all the attention and wise counsel she needs. The fever was gone and only a rheumatic③ affection remained of which the physician thought she would soon be free. I shall hope very soon to hear again.
About your school I do not think I can give you much advice， which would be of value unless I knew your position more in detail. The important rule is， as in all relations with our fellow creatures， never forget that， if they are imperfect persons， they are immortal souls， and treat them as you would wish to be treated by the light of that though.
As to the application of means—abstain from punishment as much as possible and use encouragement as far as you can without flattery. But be even more careful as to strict truth in this regard towards children than to persons of your own age. For to the child the parent or teacher is the representative of Justice， and as that of life is severe， an education which in any degree， excites vanity④ is the very worst preparation for that general and crowded school.
I doubt not you will teach grammar well， as I saw you aimed at principles in your practice.In geography， try to make pictures of the scenes， that they may be present to their imagination， and the nobler faculties be brought into action as well as memory. In history study， try to paint the characters of great men， they best interpret the leadings of events amid the nations.
I am pleased with your way of speaking of both people and pupils， your view seems from the right point， yet beware of over great pleasure in being popular or even beloved. As far as an amiable disposition and powers of entertainment make you so， it is a happiness， but is there one grain of plausibility， it is poison， but I will not play mentor much， lest⑤ I make you averse to write to your very affectionate sister.
Margaret
① obligev. 使不得不，迫使
② banquetv. 宴请，设宴款待
③ rheumaticadj. 风湿病的，风湿病引起的
④ vanityn. 自负，虚荣，虚幻，无意义
⑤ lestconj. 惟恐，免得
玛格丽特·富勒致弟弟
我亲爱的阿瑟，并不是因为我“对你无话可说”，我的信才那么短，而是因为我身体不好以及事务繁多迫使我不得不节约时间。你也知道，在我所有的工作中，写作对我的病是最为不利的，而且，因为我无论如何都得做许多事，所以我就尽量避免去做我可以避免的事。你要记住这一点，不要用我的信的多少和长短来衡量我对你的追求的兴趣、或对你的感情。
我仍然可以将一切都安得很好。我们常常办猪肉宴会，而这对像我自己这样的“真正的信仰者”来说是不相符的。
我其它方面的生活依旧如同往常。我曾去听过《梦游女》，但我对这场音乐会并不感到满意，和我们爱挑剔的理查德对他所听的音乐会有同感，我估计，他给你描述过那场音乐会。
埃伦生病的消息让我感到很难过，既为她的缘故，也为母亲的缘故，因为母亲看过她之后，立即心情忧郁。济慈先生给我的来信既亲切又明了。我肯定她将得到她所需要的一切关心和明智的忠告。她已退烧，只是风湿病还没有治好，医生说她将会很快康复，我希望尽快听到她的消息。
对于你的教学，我无法给你多少有价值的建议，除非我对你的现状有更加详细的了解。与我们人类相关的最重要的原则是，不要忘记，即使人们不完美，他们也是不朽的灵魂，有鉴于此，你若希望别人如何对待你，你就应该如何去对待别人。
至于使用什么方法——尽量避免使用惩罚，尽可能使用鼓励的方式，但不要奉承他们。对孩子要比对你的同龄人更加注意坚持真理。因为对孩子来说父母或老师就是公正的代表，而且，因为生活是艰辛的，所以任何层次的教育若引起孩子的虚荣心理，这对于一般的学生众多的学校来说是极其糟糕的。
我毫不怀疑你能教好语法，因为我看到你在实习时重点针对语法规则。在地理课中，尽量制作些图片，这可供他们想象，并把这种较好的视觉官能带入行为和记忆之中。在历史课中，多研究伟人们的性格并争取把他们描绘出来，它们最能说明这些人在各国的重大事件中所起的领导作用。
我很喜欢你谈论他人和小学生的方式，你的观点看来很正确，而且体验到了受欢迎甚至被人爱戴的愉快心情。至于你的和蔼可亲的性情和快乐的性格使你如此，这是一种幸福，但你略有点儿花言巧语，这是有害的。但我不多给你当老师了，以免使你不乐意给你亲爱的姐姐写信了。
玛格丽特
于牙买加平原
1840年12月20日
