File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Emmeline (Austin) Wadsworth, 16 February 1847 (8539a10d-6e4e-4719-a8e2-1b34b8d3b735).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-017#007

Cambridge Feb 16th 1847.
I am looking eagerly, dearest, for the merry little postilion. I hope he has not fallen over Table rock in his heedless speed, but no – you cannot have despatched him thence, for no goodly snow-storm can have enticed you thither. Old winter has evidently fallen in love with blooming Spring or that fascinating widow Autumn, & to please her has followed the rash example of Mr Wilde with his Florence widow – dyed his silvery hair & whiskers, but as the best he can assume it is a misty brown I think we should all thank him to return to his original dignity. As the saying is in Newfoundland, my nurse tells me, “a green winter makes a fat churchyard –“ & many gloomy trains have passed before our windows to enrich Mt Auburn. It is almost impossible to keep well with this constant freezing & thawing, from which we shall [p. 2] be pleasantly delivered over to the domination of east winds.
I have been very anxious of late about my aunt Martha. My uncle wrote me last week that they considered her failing very rapidly, but since then she has rallied, & I am really puzzled to know whether they exaggerate her danger exceedingly, or she is entirely deceived herself. They seem to consider her lungs seriously affected, & therefore every symptom alarms them, but she has written all winter most cheerfully about herself, & has never complained of any pain in her chest – She has moreover an assiduous admirer, an elderly widower, I believe, who evidently perseveres upon faith in her regaining her health. She has a great deal of latent strength altho’ so long an invalid & the victim of so many doctors.
Poor Elisabeth Lyman has sailed for Havana, apparently rapidly declining, but as she, also, has much hidden strength, & so marvelously revived before it is to be hoped she may again. Her child has been all winter with Mary.
[p. 3] I went into town yesterday to pay my respects to the bride, Lizzie Rice that was. She was married a week ago. Her house has a fine, open view of the sunset & country, & in summer will be quite charming, but now the approach is rather forlorn, the street being paved with old boots & the refuse of all the dust carts, & the neighborhood rather thinly settled. However, within tho’ small it is very tastefully arranged, & her innumerable pretty gifts enlivened every spare corner. Her silver, which was very splendid I understand, was not displayed. Mr & Mrs Eckley gave a large portion of it between them, - & her uncle, Mr Bordman, presented her, on her wedding day, with 10.000 dollars, which was certainly floating them off handsomely. But, doubtless, Anna Ticknor or Jane Norton will write you “all about the wedding.” After this visit I went to Mrs Ticknor’s, & got these two damsels to charm us with some delicious music. Anna, in her black dress, looks almost as old as her mother, & is already growing somewhat ‘voide’ & old maidish. I was [p. 4] quite amused with [written over: by] her pious indignation with Mrs Deacon for venturing to address her, & speak flippantly of Mr. Legaré. But I wont gossip – tho’ I must tell you one witticism of Mrs Prof Pierce à propos of Mr Agassiz passing a week with Mr Everett. She said he was preparing himself for his lectures on the glaciers which he is soon to deliver.
Our vacation is drawing to a close alas. Henry has been so happy at home with me & his books, & I so doubly happy in having so much of his society, that it has been like a renewal of the beaux jours of our engagement, when we were shut in from all the world & its impertinent cares. We went in yesterday to see your Father, & I was delighted to find him again so well & cheerful. He misses much his old friend Mr Snelling, - but takes as lively an interest in all that is going on as ever, & looked much better than when I last saw him.
Parties abound – every night next week there is something despite Lent. Julia Howe has weekly musical soirees, & is enjoying herself more this winter than she has before, in Boston, I imagine. Miss Brimmer has, I see invites out for Thursday. Poor John Bryant has lost his baby [p. 1 cross] and feels it keenly. I am very sorry for him after so many disappointments. The Kents have returned & she props herself against loneliness by another sister. Miss Everett is also back from a long, gay visit in New York. Mrs Sydney Brooks was very ill for a few days.
I fear to count the days now for your return. How I long to hold you in my arms & cry with joy over you beloved. Come with the Spring & gladden us with your new life – let us, too, hear the birds singing in your happy heart & to fear no cruel east winds to silence their joyous promises! A propos of birds your father told me of the sad martyrdom of one of your dainty little orientals. He flew into the fire & could not be rescued.
Give kindest remembrances to Wm & Elisabeth, - & with Henry’s love ever thy true & faithful F’s –

• 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); 1847 (1011/002.001-017); (LONG-FileUnitName)