File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Thomas Gold Appleton, 12 July 1856 (a3fa9bcf-058d-4396-858a-615fba841844).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-026#006

Nahant July 12th 1856.
Dear Tom,
I am sorry to have lost two steamers, but we were so busy in getting settled in our sea-side cottage, where the “wide wash” is incessant music in our ears, that there seemed to be no quiet moment to sit down for any thing like writing. But you have not been a moment out of our thoughts this week you can imagine with nothing but a water-line between our piazza and your ships, & with our daily drives in the familiar carriage with the familiar James. To tell the truth, I have been almost over anxious to hear that all was well [crossed out: well] with you, for, If one believed in omens, there was Henry’s knee, so strangely getting injured on his [p. 2] way to engage our passage, & then Mrs Lyman’s disinclination to go, and sudden death two days after you sailed, (how fortunate she did not get on board) She had epileptic fits, but many think her trouble & Mason’s, who has returned in a wretched state, & they say is likely to sink before long, came all from the brain. A said breaking up of the whole family! Then we have had most stormy weather of thunder squalls & cold winds, which I fear have met you on your way. But the few warm days we have as yet had have been charming & our situation could not be pier and the atmosphere & sea changes are so constant & beautiful you must be tempted to paint them all.
The great Hotel looms near us, bigger than ever, & at night gay with lights, like a distant city, but it seems very quiet as yet. We got down on the 3d & the 4th, tho’ squally, had a pretty show of rockets &c for the children from the Curtis & the Hotel another night. The cottages are all inhabited, & the young Chadwick has, on the on the H[??]d land, quite a huge, red-roofed Chateau. We exchange calls with papa daily, & I think he likes better to have an object for his drive than if we were nearer. The knee I am sorry to say is not well yet, & I regret the Doctor allowed any locomotion, but all swelling has subsided, & there seems no reason why it should not be well directly. We met Prescott, walking yesterday, by a splendid boat much bigger than his built by a Lynne shoemaker, & found him looking very hale & handsome under his wide-awake. We had a sad ac-[p. 4] cident yesterday which excited much sympathy in the neighborhood. Our splendid cow contrived to slip out of bounds, & encountered a short distance below the gate, a troop of fierce filibustering cows from Lynn, who rushed at her envious of her beauty, & wounded her sorely – quite rending one of her udders. Henry was out driving, I alone & in my despair I sent off for Dr. Inches, for nearest medical aid, who had the courtesy to come & comfort me with the assurance that she was not hopelessly injured, but could still give milk & where to find a proper doctor. James drove off for him this morning & an operation was performed which has relieved her. The children are wild with the sea-air, & have recovered from the dreadful heat before we came down. Charley gets every chance at the fishing-boats [p. 5] able to indulge in her usual soufflés; but, greatly to Charley’s disgust, when he presented her with a fine tautog he had caught she threw it away saying “no good” because she knew it not on the banks of the Seine. But for the soups of house keeping, & the difficulty of keeping the servants good-natured, I shall enjoy this far better than our usual summer ease, and the house is very pleasant & holds us all very well, with a guest-chamber I wish you were here to occupy.
Sumner’s health does not seem to improve – even softening of the brain has been feared, but I cannot believe so pure a light is to be quenched in such a manner. A clergyman in S.C. had to leave his parish because he would not countenance the Brooks outrage. Is not that incredible fanaticism?
Harriot has not been very well & is afraid she shall not be able to [p. 6] be present at Mary Lowell’s wedding next week. Willy is to have his Examination for College too. Mr Peabody has been in for an evening chat, - making great fun of your medium – the flying one, insisting he did it by getting on his knee & then foot on the table &c. I see his namesake gave a famous party at the Crystal Palace.
Poor old Sally Perkins is dead – a long bump of mortality to cease, but I trust with a corresponding spiritual development. The boys are enchanted with Amyas Leigh, & Henry reads ahead of us he finds us so interesting – tho’ slow-minded. The Tenby book fascinates me here, & Alice has already fished up some of those monsters rare & strange so pink & transparent. She has found a little school at Mrs Russells just by, & is very happy, enjoying the rocks just as I did [p. 7] when a girl. You would laugh to see her gestiatating & talking in high dramatic fashion as she climbs. James is in despair about his money affairs in Philadelphia, but Henry has written for him to the Bank. I have not seen Bridget, but have engaged a lovely lass to aid me here. Dr Inches said he collected sundry bills &c on your table & would give them to Sam A. to pay as you requested. Mary will be glad to see you as she seems far from well. Robert too. I shall try to write her a line this time. Much love to the Story’s. Enjoy yourself in the genial atmosphere you like so much & write us often.
With Henry’s love
Yr affte
Fanny
3 wedding cards reached us yesterday. Buchanan Reads. Prof Eustis’ & [p. 8] Mary Lowell’s –

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