File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Anne Longfellow Pierce, 17 January 1844 (7609553e-06cc-43c1-bbf3-3d6123bbb268).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-014#003

Cambridge Jan 17th 1844.
I promised, dearest Annie, to report to you, without delay, Dr Elliott’s opinion of the present state of Henry’s eyes. He was here last evening, and examined them carefully, & pronounced them much better, & likely to be fully restored long! His report also of his general health was most favorable. He is to continue the same remedies, and as Dr E says, the nature of Henry’s pursuits sends much blood to the head & consequently to the eyes, exercise is especially essential to his & their well-being, by equalising the circulation.
Your hearts will be gladdened as mine has been by this encouraging account of their progress, and although I have seen with delight how much more he has been able to use them of late, still I was thankful to get the assurance of their improvement from such a skilful oculist as Dr Elliott, who can tell at a glance the condition of an eye so many are constantly under his inspection.
Our book flourishes bravely, &, fortunately, my health continues so good that I am able to forward it a little every day, while Henry dictates his gleanings from his own rich mind or from the books of others, & is able to read what he requires in tongues where I cannot aid him. We are, also, getting [p. 2] deeply interested in Prescott’s Mexico, & having passed through the curious & wonderful revelations of Aztec civilization & barbarism in the Introduction, are now following the brave band & their remarkable leader from peril to peril, almost scenting with them, from our quiet chimney corner, the delicious fragrance of tropical flowers, and awaiting with awful suspense what new danger is to be unfolded as they proceed. Not that our sympathies are altogether with the cruel Spaniards, but the descriptions of their march are so vivid, that, as we cannot resist accompanying a hero of romance in his untried adventures, we find ourselves as eager as these adventurers in quest of new discoveries among this strange people. I should think the most bigoted Catholic could hardly read the forced conversions from one kind of idolatry to another but a little more spiritual, without being struck with the absurdity of supposing them any thing better than the exchange of dresses & idols. As usual in missions of former days one is constantly shocked by the unchristian acts christian zeal excites.
I referred above to my health in a way which may puzzle you. I will explain myself by informing you then, in plain terms, of what you have a right to know – in that somewhere between May & June I hope to give you a little nephew, or niece, for you to exercise all your auntly capacities of affection & interest upon. You can read our hearts, although so much separated from us, & therefore [p. 3] need not be told how grateful we feel to God for this promised addition to our happiness. I have been remarkably well thus far, as I am very prudent, & lead a very quiet life, there is every reason to believe all will go as well with me as the circumstances admit.
I have not heard from dear little Mary yet, but Mrs Greenleaf has another letter, in which there is chiefly her quiet satisfaction in being settled. We wrote to Sam by the Harbinger, & have, in the house, Dr Webster’s copy of his Pico newspaper, which I have not yet found time to read, but which Aunt Sally assures me is exceedingly witty & clever. She, poor old soul, is as flourishing & comfortable as her worn-out body & ever self-tormenting spirit enable her to be. It is strange that she sl[??] willfully rougher the ebbing sands of her solitary [cut off] but I suppose she has never been free from the morbid sensitiveness to small trembles which causes her so many daily vexations. We had a sad fire here lately. The new cottage of old Dr Ware caught in the attic, from some misconstruction in the furnace, & burned to the ground, consuming all the clothes of the family & many of his books. He has been dying for many days, & was carried to a neighbour’s immediately, as fortunately it occurred before they were abed, quite unconscious, poor man, what was going on. A great deal of sympathy has been felt both here & in Boston for the family, who could ill afford their losses, & in both places liberal sums have been contributed for their relief. I went to a sewing circle on Friday to replace their clothing [p. 4 bottom] &, for a wonder, needles flow faster than tongues, all were so anxious to accomplish as much as possible. I hope your books & basket from Sam arrived safely.
Mary Dixwell went with me, the other day, to congratulate Miss Webster on her engagement, - an awkward office at the best, & as I know her very slightly my good wishes were expressed rather by the pantomime of my visit than by words. She received us with some conscious blushes, but [p. 4 top] very proper ease, and has a pleasing softness of manner, increased probably by her happiness. It is a great joy to me, now, to witness what I understand so well, although once I had more fears than hopes about it!
Give much love from us both to all the family, & hoping to hear from you soon, I am, dearest,
Yr ever loving Fan.
ADDRESSED: MRS PIERCE. / CARE OF HON S. LONGFELLOW. / PORTLAND. ME.
POSTMARK: CAMBRIDGE / JAN 19 / MS
ENDORSED, PENCIL: BEFORE BABY. 1844.

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; people; document; pregnancy and childbirth; health and illness; subject; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1844 (1011/002.001-014); (LONG-FileUnitName)