Letter sent from Rev. Abiel Abbot Smith to his grandson Samuel Abbot Smith, with an additional page from his Aunt Abby. Abiel writes to his grandson about how he thinks giving prizes for academic excellence is a bad idea, and they cause more damage than good. Abby writes in response to an incident where Samuel ruined his pants, and offers to mend them or make him a new one. She tells him to send them as soon as possible, so that she can mend them and send them back with some peaches. She then writes about various friends and family members, asking Samuel to carry greetings from her to people around Cambridge. Letter is sent from Peterboro, NH to Cambridge, MA. Good quality color xerox of original letter.