File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Anne (Longfellow) Pierce, 25 November 1846 (e54667a3-cc45-4bed-b53d-1bed3450caad).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-016#016

Wednesday mn’g
Dearest Anne,
I must send a line by Sam if only to wish you a pleasant Thanksgiving, which his presence will not a little facilitate. Ours promises to be stormy, but weather or no we shall pass it in town, for the children’s sake at least, & my Father’s, who loves to celebrate such merry meetings, though alas! the vacancies are [p. 2] almost more visible than the presences, &, as the Swedenborgians believe, many spirits, no longer ‘clad in veils’ sit down beside us, subduing the gaiety of the feast. It was very uncourteous in your Governor not to follow the good example of the other States & ours, that, like a band of brothers, we might all be rejoicing together. But we shall think of you on your day - & be grateful with [p. 3] you for the blessings of the past year in the family circle.
Sam will tell you of the proposed parish at West Cambridge, & you can consult together whether it would be desirable for him to accept it if offered, or wait for something better. I should be glad to have him so near us, but know not whether he might be more useful in a larger place. Such earnest, faithful voices as his are needed to act upon masses, so that the widening circles of his [p. 4] influence may not die from the narrowness of the shores about him.
Baby’s birthday has passed, & he still totters from chair to chair, but I hope soon to see him sail off alone bravely. He looks very pretty in his winter hat of white plush with cherry ribbons in his cap. “Pretty, rosy baby” Charlie calls him, the cold weather brings out so much color.
I hope you will like the Daguerreotype. Such small heads do not look so well as large, & the shadows seem rather heavy, but it may please those who have not seen the originals. We have them not yet, the frames are still making.
Earnestly hoping this will find [p. 1 cross] all well, & carry safely the love entrusted to it,
ever thy affte
Fanny L.

• Keywords: frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); document; correspondence; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1846 (1011/002.001-016); (LONG-FileUnitName)