File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Nathan Appleton, 7 May 1852 (a25966cb-d306-4372-be12-79e3c62514ea).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-022#012

Cambridge Friday –
Dear papa,
Henry wrote Tom yesterday, but I wished to thank you for your letter from Baltimore. I am delighted to hear you have enjoyed your journey so much, & have wisely lingered in the sunshine, but the last two days it has come to us in good earnest – hot as June. However, the crop of east winds is not exhausted probably, but one can really see the leaves grow. I had a visit yesterday from Cora Shaw who told me of your pleasant Washington days. Mrs Charles Amory has been very anxious about her little boy as he was some days in the house with Mrs Greene’s children in N. York, both of whom died of scarlet fever. I did not get a letter ready for Wm after all, but am very [p. 2] glad he is going, it will be so agreeable for Mary. Our Newport house is still undecided, for instead of holding only three families 30 persons are expected to fill it, & I fear it is late to find a smaller. Henry is vainly trying to find a moment free to go down & arrange the matter.
We had a very pleasant visit from [crossed out: Exhibition] Kossuth on Tuesday. He came out, by invitation, to Exhibition, at the close, & was most warmly welcomed by the students, - was introduced to them by the President & said a few words. He then, with Gov Boutwell & smile, drove to our house & remained half an hour. He took much notice of the children, & asked Charley to recite one of his papa’s poems, but alas it was not forthcoming! He then went to Dr Lowell’s who prayed over him with much feeling. Mrs Chas Lowell gave a party in the [p. 3] evening but he could not remain for it nor dine with us as we wished. The Pulzkys did, & also sat thro’ the Exhibition & went with us to the party. Dr Beck, Agassiz Felton & Charles & Jane Norton shared the dinner, which was very informall [sic] as Madam Pulszky preferred. She & her husband are both remarkably intelligent & agreeable people & with a great flow of conversation in excellent English. Kossuth is very grave & silent (any thing but a holy day character as Tom thinks him) & cannot be known without inspiring the greatest respect & sympathy. He has much dignity – but when he speaks it is with meaning. Madame Pulszky says – “He is really the great man of the century – he has such practical talent as well as genius – & never a thought of self – no ambition, but always sacrificing every thing to aid [p. 4] his country.” They are all most sanguine of final success. His speech at Lowell is a fine one, but I think the most eloquent was at Bunker Hill. We dined with him on Sunday at the Howes quite alone, & I found him just what I expected, a simple, modest, earnest man. The meeting between him & Laura Bridgman was very interesting She gave him welcome & sympathy very gracefully. But you are probably weary of his name. You have not watched his whole career with the same intense interest we have, & therefore do not think it such an event to see the hero, but I am sure he would strike you as an honest man, & one devoting his best energies to raise his country.
Mr King of N.Y. & daughters have been at our Hotel here – his son had a part at Exhibition. I did not find them until too late to do more than call. They were to leave today. I see Sumners brother Henry is dead. I suppose we may look for you next week. With love to Harriot & Tom &Yr affte daughter
Fanny E.L.

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; people; document; subject; social life; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1852 (1011/002.001-022); (LONG-FileUnitName)