File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Anne Longfellow Pierce, 11 August 1851 (c5bbe478-424c-42ce-99fe-ed9eb1c76234).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-021#028

My dear Annie,
The pretty little sack arrived safely & will be very welcome. I am sorry you devoted so much time to it as you must have done to make it so beautifully while your hands had so much else to engage them.
We were delighted to hear the wedding went off so pleasantly & should have much liked to be present, but for me, hampered with baby &c, it was quite impossible, & Henry was rather lazy about it tho’ Alex note announcing the day did not reach him until all was over – so his best inten [p. 2] tions would have been of little use. Your little collation must have been very agreeable to Alex & a satisfaction to yourself to remember. You give me no description of the bride, but I infer she looked as charmingly as brides usually are supposed to do. Mr Akers had predisposed me to admire her by saying she resembles you, & I hope if so the resemblance is not only external.
Sumner has been passing Sunday with us – and envies us our quiet & our books. The thought of Washington is by no means pleasant to him. He knows that whatever he does or says will be misrepresented, as it has been hitherto, and he has no love for a politician’s life.
[p. 3] To return to baby’s wants. Will you please let me know if a white gauze worsted jacket can be knit for her - ^soon If not I can buy one in Boston as she is rather badly off for warm garments. She will not need another cambric one we have so few really hot days. She has now a little cold, but is otherwise very well & has her 3d tooth. Everybody knows her here for the nurse says she smiles & puts out her hand to every carriage & pedestrian so that she is much noticed. We have had Mr Bellows for two Sundays – very fine sermons – I wish you could have heard them. Why ca’nt you make us a little visit here We have a room to spare when required. But as you have the Cape at hand perhaps you care not for [p. 4] noisier Nahant. I was very glad to hear you had enjoyed a dip knowing how well you like it. We are very lazy about it tho’ we have a bathing house (for dressing) to ourselves.
Dear Mary – how are you after your long journey in the heat - & all the excitement of arriving at home for a wedding? Rested by this time I hope a little & as cheerful as can be after such a return.
Give much love to James –
ever affly yrs
Fanny E.L.
Nahant. Monday.
[p. 1 cross] X please send me the bill.

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; people; document; subject; family life; social life; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1851 (1011/002.001-021); (LONG-FileUnitName)