File:Charles Sumner to Ernest Longfellow, 13 December 1858 (3caf0b9e-e029-49b8-ab21-79498fbe3f1e).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1002/9.3-159#018

Montpellier. France.
13th Dec ‘58
My dear little Erny,
For a long time I have been your debtor. But I trust that your goodness has pardoned my seeming negligence.
I trust that this letter will reach you on the 1st January. At all events, whether it arrives sooner or later, it wishes you a Happy New Year. May the [p. 2] coming year be better for you in all respects than the last! And with proper effort it can be so. When I return my pleasure will be increased if I find you improved in knowledge & character, according to your years.
Look on the map of France, & you will find the beautiful place where I now am, - far towards the South & near the Mediterranean. The climate here is delightful. Snow comes only once or twice in ten years, so that the [p. 3] inhabitants here hardly know what it is. Of course, the boys have no opportunity to coast or skate.
I do not observe the children of respectable families playing in the streets, nor are they allowed to walk out unless attended by their teachers or parents. The boys at school all wear a uniform, consisting of blue trousers, blue frock coat buttoned up to the neck & trimmed with red- & a small blue cap trimmed with red. In this uniform I often meet a whole school, [p. 4] walking in procession two & two, attended by their teachers & going, perhaps, a short distance into the country for exercise and amusement. I often stop to look at these boys, & wonder if our boys at home would be content under this rigid system.
I hope Charley is well & happy. Give my love to him and to Mamma & Papa, & also a kiss to the little ones. Remember me also most kindly to Uncle Tom, & believe me, dear Erny
Affectionately Yours
Charles Sumner

Envelope-
Ernest Longfellow care of H. W. Longfellow Esq
Cambridge Mass
Aux Etats unis d’Amérique
En Angleterre

• Keywords: document; henry w.l. dana papers (long 17314); long archives; charles sumner; manuscript; correspondence; ernest wadsworth longfellow; school; france; politicians; Collected Materials (1002/009); (LONG-SeriesName); Miscellaneous Famous People (1002/009.003); (LONG-SubseriesName); Sumner; Charles (1811-1874) Papers; 1837-1870 (1002/009.003-159); (LONG-FileUnitName)