File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Anne Longfellow Pierce, 1 April 1844 (c18eb1a9-e6f0-47c8-b2e9-297bc442ed59).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-014#010

Cambridge. April 1st 1844.
Dearest Annie,
We have just learned from Dr Webster that the Harbinger sails on Thursday next, - & I hasten to inform you that your letters may arrive in season. We had a nice letter from Sam & some oranges, & the announcement that we were to have, likewise, some other things, but although we have sent to Mr Cunningham’s for them they have not as yet made their appearance. Henry has written, therefore, a note to Mr C. himself and if they have not gone, by this time, to the Moon with other missing objects, I hope we shall get a sight of them before long. A parcel for you is among them I suppose unless it has found its way to Portland.
If you have done with the “Piece from the Vineyard” I [crossed out: suppose] believe Dr Webster would be glad to have it. They have an answering Echo which they send back by returning Harbingers -; a very merry way of journalizing each other’s proceedings. Miss W. must be a very magnanimous damsel to bear so patiently such a separation from her lover -, & their marriage I hear will not take place for, perhaps, a year!
We were deeply grieved to hear that Father & Mother had both been so ill, & Henry regrets exceedingly that he did not go to Portland during the vacation. I urged him to do so, but, as I was not quite well [p. 2] enough to venture a journey in such cold weather, his courage rather failed him at the thought of going alone. But if you had written to him just how it was he would certainly have obeyed your summons most cheerfully. I hope both your patients are now as well as usual, & are not depressed by this melancholy Spring, when snow storms exceed snow-drops, & a new paralysis has fallen upon the budding life of things.
But I must say good bye before I have begun my letter, dear Annie, as I have only time just now to inform you of the Harbingers day of sailing & to send my love, with Henry’s, to you & the rest of the family circle –
Henry will soon write you in reply to your last.
ever yr loving sister
Fanny.
ADDRESSED: MRS PIERCE. / CARE OF HON S. LONGFELLOW. / PORTLAND. / ME.

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