File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Thomas Gold Appleton, 17 November 1856 (7587ddc3-c022-4a0f-ab6b-51b40c67d227).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-026#014

Cambridge Nov 17th 1856.
Dear Tom,
You will see by the papers how unsubdued we Fremonters are by a defeat which is a victory, & how we are all trying to feel, with Curtis, that tho’ we have lost our Bunker Hill we have only lost one battle, & have a campaign before us. In the mean time we tremble for the poor people in Kansas, who can hardly have out the four years we fear. But politics are, for the time, forgotten in a more personal tragedy. Albert Sumner wife & daughter have probably perished in escaping from the sinking Lyonnais! &, what gives an added horror, they took to the inhospitable sea, in an open boat, the very day [p. 2] the beloved Senator, his brother, entered Boston in his carriage of honor. Such are the solemn contrasts of Life, the brighter light making the darker shadow! Charles has been with us ever since his return, gaining daily in the quiet of Cambridge, & much benefitted by rides on horseback in the bracing air. This dreadful news was brought him by Hillard & Felton on Saturday ev’g, & he immediately went in to his poor mother whose cup of sorrows seems never full. Of course there is a chance that they may have been picked up, so near New York, but as a gale came on, just as they left the steamer, & the only boat that has arrived suffered terribly with cold & storms there will be little hope & long uncertainty. I doubt if Sumner is well enough to return to Congress this session, & this distress of mind will I fear put him back, [p. 3] give him sleepless nights again. He had many visitors while here, but we did not let him receive too many. One evening the German Glee Club of 100 voices came & gave him a vocal serenade, which was very delicious by a mellow moon, but there were too many to reward with any hospitality. He called on Felton, & the old difference has melted away. In looking over the card-basket this morning I found a poem addressed “To the mother of Charles Sumner” & beginning “Oh happy, happy mother &c,” published in last week’s paper, & already those words sound like a mockery. I hope you saw the speeches on his Reception. They were all good. I am reading Dred which is full of vitality certainly.
We hope your lameness is well over, & that you are comfortably established in Paris by this time.
Mary, I fear, over fatigued herself in [p. 4] such a long jaunt. Will they go to Italy? I hope so. Do not tell people we are coming out for we have no such intention at present, wanting you as a lever, and they will be tired of the cry of wolf.
I have paid my respects to Mrs Bangs, & found her looking quite imperial & grand in the small Watertown drawing-room. There I saw your Kensett, actually for the first time. It is far better to me than his larger pictures – “really a gem”. Ned is in town all day, dining at Aunt Sam’s. Such prose has matrimony in this busy country. But then three girls must enjoy each other. I have bought her a little cadeau, & one for Curtis who is to be married in a week. He is really thought to be quite an orator by the young men & keeps their faith & zeal alive nobly. The Nortons are here. Many thanks for the harp Eolian, which discourses most nobly to us, & for the curious eye of spar a wonder of nature. Prescott welcomed Sumner very ardently, & sent him a doz of Burgundy to re [p. 1 cross] cruit his strength. He said if he had known there were to be mottoes on houses at his Reception he would have had “When you fell down we all fell too (or whatever it is) while bloody treason flourished over us.” That would have been a sight for Beacon St! Fanny Kemble & Sam have left – the former for the West. I could not have her here as she would have been too exciting for Sumner but saw her once or twice. The greatest joke of the election was poor Uncle Wm being entrapped into his maiden speech on his balcony – when he was not [p. 2 cross] elected, the very music immediately after, deserting to serenade Burlingame!
[p. 3 cross] In case Hurlburt returns it is well perhaps you should know he is known to be that amiable character a Jeremy Diddler, & has actually been once expelled a boarding-house for conveying to himself the lodgers garments! Is this not dreadful! but alas I fear tis true & he will pass in England for an American gentleman until found out.

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