File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Thomas Gold Appleton, 23 May 1853 (9304044e-e354-4d46-b6dd-704e797c57ef).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-023#007

Cambridge May 23d 1853.
Dearest Tom,
This steamer bears away Mary & the children to England where, after a visit to Ronny & London, she will probably settle down among the good old Aunts at Tenly until Robert’s arrival. He has actually resigned & hoped to have a successor appointed so as to be able to return to England before the summer was over, but, that is of course quite uncertain.
We shall miss them here very much, but shall be rather glad too to regain or wanted quiet. It has been a year of great care & anxiety to me to have so large a household & Henry’s time has been entirely broken up, but as we go to the serene life of Nahant in [p. 2] July I hope he will be able to recover what he has lost. Mary seems to be reluctant to go but as she is fond of change will soon wonder no doubt she could submit so long to Cambridge life, & the joy of seeing Ronny will take away all regrets.
Miss Davie remains behind to have the care of Mrs Sam Lawrence’s children – a very pleasant berth for her. The Comibra is a smallish steamer, & there seems to be no acquaintances going but young Oxnard (just married to a Miss Adams) but Mary did not like to wait a fortnight later for the Niagara in which Charley Appleton & Copley Greene will sail. The former goes to Switzerland to study for 3 years – so he says! The latter sells his fine place tomorrow & Uncle Wm has been rather urgent with papa to buy it but Harriet does not care to undertake so large a house. I am very glad your table moving [p. 3] was so successful & hope to see the account of it in the Times where father says it is – from Galignam. you do not seem to have evoked the rappings yet – those I suppose require a magnetic person to be present. Mr Shaw leaves many noble bequests to benevolent institutions, & these dying words of counsel to his children: “Hate intemperance & Slavery. The fugitive Slave law is the disgrace of this age” – coupled with remarks on Mr Webster I will not repeat. This was told to Howe by his son-in-law & myself. It quite gives me faith the spirits were “true ghosts” “I [crossed out: gave] taught him the wisdom of the other world – tho’ he did not say I believe he thus obtained these convictions. Sumner is busy in the State Convention having been chosen by the Marshfield people (et tu Brute) to represent them. Tomorrow we inaugurate our new President – Dr Walker – but it has become so common a thing it loses its dignity.
Our garden is looking lovely now; the grass golden with butter cups & [p. 4] the hedges amesthystine with lilacs. We sit upon the back piazza & read & smoke & enjoy the birds & our after-dinner coffee as if in the depths of the country. Miss Emerson is married to young Lowell & has flown to Niagara leaving room for the brother to court Miss Hatty. Em & the Nortons & Mrs Cleveland are already at Newport. Poor Miss Gibbs has had her marriage twice postponed by the Marquis’ gout increased by his dislike of the match. Bamelos is still in Boston but sails in June for Italy. Felton Henry heard from on arriving but I suppose he is in Paris by this time unless tempted to linger in London. I wish you could see baby now – she is so cunning – can say all mother Goose by heart & is full of chatter – so much more of a companion than a boy. Erny is as fond of drawing as ever & was busy yesterday sketching the house for Angus. His hair has taken to curling & he looks very well. We have had a nice group of them all dageurred . What are your plans? I suppose you do not like to leave yr Doctor until your cure is completed & it would be a great pity to do so. We all rejoice he has done you so much good & trust it will be permanent. Farewell – yr ever loving & true
Fanny E.L.

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