File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Anne Longfellow Pierce, 3 July 1851 (76146479-58d4-433b-8de9-d30d2c7c1524).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-021#022

Cambridge
Thursday.
July 3d
Dear Annie,
Sam has written to you I suppose of his intended undertaking which I truly hope will prove both agreeable & helpful to him in many ways – giving him rest & strength, & refreshment of mind & body. As I was the one to propose it I feel very anxious it should turn out well, & I hope you will be able to spare him cheerfully in consideration of the great good to him. My cousin is a very gentle, amiable youth, almost a girl in character, & I think will not be a troublesome companion - & can be greatly benefited by such an influence as Sam’s [p. 2] if it is only bracing enough for him. Alex’ engagement was a great surprise to me, he has kept his secret so well from us, but his warm heart deserves such happiness & I fervently trust he may receive it in abundant measure.
Do not let these various departures sadden you too much; but I can well imagine what a disappointment it must be to lose Alex from the house. I wish Mary could soon be here.
We go to Nahant on Wednesday of next week, & tho’ I am not half ready, I long to be there, for the heat of the last few days has made poor baby look quite pale & soft in her flesh. She is gay as ever however. I am in great want of [p. 3] a nice flannel petticoat for her to wear with her short gowns & I wish to know if your society could not make me one scolloped [sic] round the bottom, otherwise plain. I send you a pattern of the size of the waist – the skirt should be 3 fingers & a half long – (short fingers – not long ones -)
I am very sorry I did not think of this in time for Mr Akers to bring it. Sam’s visit will make it rather late, for she has nothing but old ones to wear & at Nahant I have so many acquaintances she will be liable to much inspection! If they have any little countrie sack nicely made, of her size, I should be glad of it. I found a cap for Aunt Lucia which I think must be large enough & I hope will please her. It [p. 4] shall go either by Sam or Mr A. who perhaps has told you he returns to Boston to make my Uncle’s bust – Mr Sam Appleton’s a good head for him & which he was quite ambitious to undertake. Henry’s was admirable, & we all think he shows an uncommon talent. H. received yesterday from England four of his poems set to music by some fair admirer. I had a very pleasant visit from Anne Sophia on Class Day & we enjoyed the fascinating Jenny in the evening, tho’ not together. She came out to see me before she left, & was very agreeable & easy in her manners & her conversation full of feeling –
Our love to Alex & his fiancée – whom I hope some day to have an opportunity to know – in the meantime have full faith in his good taste, & excellent judgment & the com [p. 1 cross] mmendations of others. Charley’s love to Harry who I hope continues to behave as charmingly as when here. Erny’s neck is less swollen but not entirely cured. Kind love to Aunt Lucia
Yr affte
Fanny E.L.

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