Joseph Walker Barnwell writes to sister, Esther Hutson Barnwell, from Germany, where he is matriculating at the university in Gottingen. Barnwell describes the difficulty of learning the language, the bathing habits of the Germans and his views on German servants, and comments that the Americans he has met abroad do not distinguish between Northerners and Southerners.
Letter from Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell writes of attending a performance of a men and boy's choir visiting from Hanover, comments on his inexperience with cold winters and describes a large, traveling market of peddlers which descends on the city four times a year.
Letter from Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell writes of trying to speak only German, a task made harder by an increase in other Americans arriving in Gottingen, and discusses the current state of Prussian political and military affairs.
Letter from Joseph Walker Barnwell, in Gottingen, Germany, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing his recent trips to Hanover and Brunswick, Germany.
Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, writes to unknown family member discussing the current political situations among the countries of Europe, including England, France, Germany, Austro-Hungary and Russia.
Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, writes to brother, Allard Belin Barnwell. Barnwell talks of how being in Europe has made him more of an "American" rather than a "Southerner" and discusses weekly social activities with his compatriots. He mentions the near universal editorial contempt for a recent magazine article by Harriet Beecher Stowe concerning Lord Byron and hopes a similar "justice" will one day fall on "Uncle Tom's Cabin." He also derides the antics of anti-Catholic preacher, John Cumming, and describes the curious wedding custom of smashing crockery and dinnerware at the door of the bride-to-be.
Letter from Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, to sister, Mary Elliott Barnwell, with details of his instruction in German, a description of local ice skaters and an amusing comparison between the Beaufort newspaper and the London Times.
Letter from Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, to sister, Esther Hutson Barnwell, commenting on the business-like characteristic of German marriages, his taking weekly tea with the "Fraulein" landlady to improve his German, and the frankness of Germans in regard to personal matters.
Letter from Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell discusses South Carolina Reconstruction politics and the dissatisfaction with Governor Robert Scott, and details a day trip with fellow students to explore castle ruins along the Werre River southwest of Gottingen.
Letter from Allard Belin Barnwell, Savannah, GA, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell discusses his salary and expenses and describes a recent business trip where, to save time, he jumped off the train as he passed his destination rather than get off miles ahead at the depot stop.
Letter from Selina McCarthy Graham, Edingsville, SC, to cousin, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Graham, future husband of Allard Belin Barnwell, writes of news of mutual friends and family members.
Letter from Allard Belin Barnwell, Savannah, GA, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, discussing his employment with Jno. Gardner & Co. In a postscript, Barnwell writes that he has informed his future wife, Selina McCarthy Graham, of their understanding that they are to be married when his salary reaches $1200.
