File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Anne Longfellow Pierce, 8 November 1851 (9cd3c64c-7dc4-476d-9b67-742139887096).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-021#011

Craigie House Saturday
Dear Annie,
I have been vainly hoping for a line for you to announce your safe return home, but at last got a little Portland news thro’ Anne Sophia from Augusta! ‘The dedication’ has naturally absorbed your thoughts, & I am glad to hear it went off well. I was amazed that Eliza’s zeal actually blazed into verse, not knowing she had any gift for such things – perhaps it was her un [p. 2] usual interest inspired it. Pray send her hymn to us if it is preserved. I congratulate you all most heartily on having this noble monument to your energy & perseverance at last erected. It will be a life-long satisfaction.
Dear Annie I miss you so much, & cannot be too grateful for the days you gave me – Aunt Lucia ought to spare you oftener, tho’ she probably would think that a most unreasonable plea situated as we respectively are. But female society I get nothing of - & a woman will crave that sometimes.
[p. 3] The boys have behaved a little better I think since you left, as the pressure of a visitor rather excites them to show off what they can do. After all I know not if I ought to complain of exuberant spirits – they will pass soon enough. My great consolation is they are very affectionate & have tender consciences. I wish I had your patience with them. Little Alice is cunning as ever, & now quite stands alone. I am very impatient to see Sam’s last letters – Pray send them as soon as you can spare them. Mrs Rich I hoped we might catch somewhere, but she was to go with a party to Rome the 1st of Oct. I have been again to see Mrs Greenleaf & heard [p. 4] how well Mary & James got off. Their steamer’s arrival was telegraphed she said, so they are now I hope snugly settled in their pleasant home.
My cousin Harriet (the bride) I have not seen since her wedding night, but hear she has been visited in town. Aunt Sam told me her gifts were very splendid – mostly of silver. We go today to Julia Howes to dine, to meet Miss Cushman & Miss Hays, but have been pretty quiet since you left. A Mr Magnus (Prussian embassy) brought us a letter so we had a small dinner party for him at which Greenough the sculptor (newly returned) was very agreeable. Hovey told Henry the hedge better be made in the Spring so that is not begun. Louis has just taken up the dahlias & put in the double windows admonished by these cold days. Sumner brought Godwin (Bryants’ son in law) last Sunday – not a very attractive looking individual. My father continues to improve - & Uncle Sam is out [p. 1 cross] again. Emmeline Wadsworth has a 3d – I did so hope it might be a girl –
Our love to Aunt Lucia who I hope survived the shock of your sudden appearance
A kiss to Henry –
ever affly yr
Fanny – E.L.
I have just got your long interesting letters with Sam’s from Alex. many many thanks

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