File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Nathan Appleton, 8 July 1847 (8b21ad85-cf94-4777-b151-d940f06e6011).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-017#013

Cambridge. Thursday.
Dearest papa,
I have followed your advice & written Mary via Havana, & trust we shall soon hear of their safe arrival at St Kitts. This weather gives one a lively sense of their tropical climate, & I dare say the heat is not much greater there than here just now, tho’ today a merciful east wind is relieving us. I begin to long for the sea-shore & we shall probably get off about the 15th, the middle of next week.
Henry went down to Portland [p. 2] on Friday, & secured our rooms at the Verandah; bringing back with him, the next day, his Aunt Lucia & nephew Stephen, who remained with us until Tuesday, returning to P. with Mary & James Greenleaf. We all went in on the 5th to see the Floral Procession, & occupied the deserted balcony – with young Sam Eliot & his sister & a Madeira Englishman he had with him. The pageant of the children was very beautiful, such elaborate groups upon wains & carriages of the seasons &c, & such a profusion of flowers, the little girls wearing moss hats wreathed with them [p. 3] as well as the marshals - & boys, - & garlanded about like a moving Golden Age. We retreated from the boiling heat & incessant cannonade of crackers to our quiet airy villa, & even little Stephen could not be persuaded to encounter the crowd again for the fireworks. Tom was at Nahant, & is still, I believe, but will I hope join us for Martin’s Point. Sumner brought Mr. Wheaton, our ex-minister, to take tea with us last night, who seems to be a very pleasant, unpretending person. I have just got a letter from Emmeline describing their various guests at Geneseo. They have some [p. 4] pleasant French people at James Ws, & are expecting Mary & Lizzy Dwight, - Mr & Mrs Sidney Brooks, & Theodore Sedgwick & wife! She half promises to join us at Martin’s Point in the dogdays.
Mrs John Bryant has an ethereal baby; [crossed out: which] they are now becoming too common to be counted. I suppose Mrs Sumner writes you all the news -
I am very glad to hear Harriet is reviving in Berkshire air, & that Aunt Mattie is no worse. Give our love to them both – Henry acknowledges the receipt of the sum due him as driver.
With much love to all & kisses to the children,
Yr affte Fanny –
I send a sermon which will amuse you – but it has much good stuff in it too.

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