Collection consists of McDowall's diary (dated 1856-1857) primarily describing her schooling and social life at Patapsco Institute, in Ellicott's Mills, Maryland. Topics include her studies, including guitar, French, Spanish, geometry, composition, recitation, physical geography, "astronography," and dance; her love for her friends and whether it is requited; the death of a classmate; opinions regarding her teachers; illnesses among the students; parties and concerts she attended; as well as her homesickness and letters from her family. The volume also contains clippings of poems, biographical notes, and a note written following the death of her father in 1879.
