File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Mary (Appleton) Mackintosh, 16 December 1860 (9b5b3b85-16cf-4cab-bd37-f9daf98b4f2c).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-030#029

Cambridge Dec 16th 1860.
Dear Mary,
I fear you must have suffered from the cold which I see has been immensely fear in England. We have not had it worse than usual, but my household is all troubled with influenza – the children all with bad coughs - & sore throats. I have always had a fear of diptheria, but I believe it has not been any where in this region.
We had a very pleasant supper, the other night, for Curtis, - of Field (the Philadelphian) Wilde the artist, Dr Wyman our learned Professor & neigh [p. 2] bor, Charles Norton & Lowell. They were all very agreeable & merry, especially the latter. The next morning, died, very suddenly, old Dr Lowell. I was thankful it did not happen while his son was here. He, the father, wrote a very touching letter, lately, to his old parish (as he has yearly) declaring himself the sole survivor of all the clergymen of his day & of his original church members, & beseeching, them, with the fervor of St John, “to love one another” – He was a beautiful old man, but has been ill for some hears. Mrs Dutton will feel it much. His unmarried daughter has lived with him, but possibly, now, Lowell will resume the old place, of which he is very fond.
[p. 3] Our political horizon is not much clearer, tho’ many think there are signs of coming peace – as many others of war. We hope the South will be cured of its madness by the sufferings it brings on itself, - which will be more effectual than extorting concessions from the North to be perpetually renewed if successful. Wendell Phillips, of course, favors disunion, but the patriotic feeling at the North has bound us all more strongly together which is a good thing, & the States are all ready to support the Government.
Seward’s speech is very noble & statesmanlike in tone, very calm & conciliatory in temper, & was listened to with intense interest as striking the key note, probably, of Lincoln’s administration, for he is to be his Premier.
[p. 4] There is an interesting notice of Lady Byron in the Atlantic by Miss Martineau. I have found a book on Scotch ways amusing, & Dr Carlyle’s life has much matter.
Willy could not find, at the Custom House, yr packet for Carry Edgar – Her husband’s name is Newbold. Hatty heard from her lately.
We had a beautiful ball at Papanti’s, given by Mrs Chadwick, & I wore my new gown, from Tom, which was much admired. It is moire antique of one of these new colors, prettily trimmed with lace & ruches - & with a handsome head dress. I met Maria Sedgwick at a musical party here the other night & shall try to get her & Miss Sedgwick to dine with us. I hear Motley abuses the country terribly in England. I am sorry as we have done so nobly this year, excepting of course the crazy south - & shall still stand firm I think.
Mary Appleton Knight, old Mrs whats her name’s [p. 1 cross] granddaughter has applied to me for help lately, her husband having deserted her. I hear nothing of the Weatherstons so ca’nt [sic] send yr things. They are both married, but I know not where they are.
Naty has begun his vacation. Most of the southern youths have left for good. I am reading the boys “Tom Brown at Oxford” Does Robert think it a fair picture of the place? I fancy Angus there – Love to him & all
Yr affte Fanny EL
[p. 3 cross] I have a photograph album & should be glad of any of your ‘cartes de visite’ of the family

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; document; death; health and illness; social life; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1860 (1011/002.001-030); (LONG-FileUnitName)