The Syrian Protestant College, now the American University of Beirut, opened its doors in 1866. At first the college rented premises in Beirut, but the desired goal of the founders was to have buildings of their own. The vision and impetus for the new campus came largely from one man, Daniel Bliss, President of SPC from its beginning until 1902. His vision has been amply vindicated over the past more than one hundred years.

In 1873 Daniel's wife Abby had reluctantly agreed to return to America for her health, but he was to remain behind because his supervision was needed on the building site. Fortunately, the timing fitted well with their mutual desire to have their four children experience typical American schooling. Daniel Bliss's letters to Abby and their four children helped bridge the gap of their separation over the fourteen months they were apart.

The letters start before the new college buildings were complete. Problems with the work; the excitements and trials of moving in; student discipline; dealing with a too-fierce watchdog - all these combine with descriptions of what Daniel had for breakfast, or comments on the Ottoman government, to paint a detailed and fascinating picture of life on "the new campus" and of mid-nineteenth century Beirut.