File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Nathan Appleton, 2 May 1841 (8dfb9ffb-457a-4611-bc02-d947034ba546).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-011#003

On board Columbia
May 2d 1841.
Dearest Papa,
The Captain promises us a land-mail from Halifax which will bring this to you in the course of next week, & as there is, likewise, a chance of our hailing the steamer I cant resist giving you the comforting news that we are dashing on at a famous rate & most agreeably, having the fairest possible weather & no very formidable seas as yet. The clouds seem to hang over the land only & we have now a light blue above & below us, but very probably you are sunning yourselves in Beacon St about this time & predicting for us all we enjoy. I am as well as [crossed out: poss] usual & begin to feel the exhilaration of the sea-air and the re-action from the glooms of yesterday, for although you had the worst of it, perhaps, as the left must always I experienced some heart-sinking with the disappearance of the land & did no justice to the Captain’s bill of fare. We were obliged to sit at table to secure our seats which are the most favorable, having the Captain for head, the Vandenhoff’s, who promise more than any [crossed out: bodies] other passengers thus far, & one or two unknown individuals. But al- [p. 2] ready vacancies yawn all about so that our 64 ship’s company proves by no means an uncomfortable number. None of them appear particularly fascinating but there is no knowing what resources a few days may unfold. We have as yet only stared at each other's externals & those do not appear to advantage, certainly, on ship board. Capt Miller looks merry & good-natured & our Captain is all kindness & devotion. All the desagrémens of steaming are over-ruled by the size, & weight of the boat & admirable arrangement of the machinery which is wholly concealed not only from sight but sound. Its easy majestic motion would delight you more than that of all the Lowell waterwheels & I wish, with all my heart, you were with us for I dont believe you would mind the rolling as much as that of a packet - & I feel sometimes as if I had been very selfish to run away (& carry Tom too!) even for these few months & leave you so disconsolate. But I console myself, as I hope you do, that on my return I shall have the health & spirits to contribute trebly to your happiness so that this may prove a greater gain than loss. Harriet & Willie must do their best to supply our place (that is Tom's for he is the main spring) & I will give you such constant telegraphing of our proceedings that you will never feel we are very far off. I was telling the Captain last night how much I should like to behold an ice-berg at a safe distance, whereupon he said it was most probable my wish would be gratified (I will trust him for the lattter [p. 3] clause) but this may have been only to see how I would take it.
May 3d – Here we are dear Papa within sight of Halifax so I must bring to a conclusion this hasty scrawl. We have a new, dismal mn'g & I fear will find it difficult to dispose of our 5 hours. But, luckily, there is almost a certainty of our finding the Britannia here so you hear from us delightfully soon. Tis only ½ past 9 so you see what a good run we have had. Good bye again. Love to everybody & a kiss to Harriet & Willie – Tom sends the same. ever yr aff daughter
Fanny
ADDRESSED: HON NATHAN APPLETON / BOSTON. MASS. / U.S.A.
ENDORSED: FANNY A. / MAY 3D 41

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