File:Caroline Frances Appleton to Fanny Appleton, 16 June 1834 (9dd1ce67-0d54-41a8-8884-e0f8a58b6b59).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.002-002#007

[loss at top center]
[endorsed:] C.F.A. _/ June_1834._/[large pen stroke, could be initials?]
[addressed:] Miss Frances E. Appleton / Care of Nathan Appleton/ Boston / Mass
[traces of red wax around round hole]
Lowell_ June 16. 1834.
Thanks! many thanks dear Fanny for your nice long letter I can assure you it came quite “à propos” , for having been working hard all week with Miss Hartwell, I assure you, to hear from you was quite a refreshment. I am happy to inform you that I have ^ as yet escaped from any of those dreadful perils which appear to you so “prodigious,” but actually last week we came very near all of us being nearly frightened of the few wits we have left, by one of these dreadful blast, I think they ought to be exclaimed against, as private if not public nuisances allow me to congratulate you on the acquisition of your “vehicle”, but which you know is not at all in my line, therefore I cannot give you as many congratulations as otherwise. I am remarkable stupid to day, it is raining fast, and a rainy day in Lowell is really enough to tempt us “frail mortals” to suicide; however as this is now altogether [two?] common a fate now a days, we e’en have to be content and thank ourselves it is no worse. Not one work of news is their [sic] stirring, in vain I use each day with renewed spirits hoping this day at last will bring forth something, and as invariably I lay down to rest thinking of times past, and sighing for the months next to come, from your account you cannot be much better off. You talk of my laughing up here, I should just like to know what I am to find up here to raise my usable muscles, and if I did begin I am afraid it would be in solitary blessedness, why I should be absolutely
[page 2] shocked to hear such a sound, alas! here are no Feline’s, no golden locked youths, may not even a single straight pole! Mother and myself generally take a solitary walk by the railroad tho’ not on it, return fatigued, stupid, & ready to retire even before 9, oh! ye [bugs?]! contrast this with the night, in the past month! Now I am going to tell you of something utterly barbarous! I came here ready to “overflow with song,” first of all I poured forth ‘Bright, Brigt [sic] are the [beams?] &c” when I stopped utterly petrified with amazement such a torrent of words were uttered, about my favorite piece, “hideous!” “nothing great” that all you would find in your stylish place!” I closed the book_[jigling [sic]?] from my soul the utter depravity of tast [sic] here reigning I never sing it now but when alone and at peace! I asked Sam however a short time afterwards “what was the matter with the song?” Why “said he who ever heard of the ladies toasting themselves?” [multiple strikethroughs] (excuse this scratching out) “But what if they can find nobody else “said I, “Why then “ said he “let it alone, but don’t let me hear any more of it!” Every one to their tast [sic] say I! Tell Mary that we are very much oliged [sic] to her for the stocking, more especially the silk one, Mother says the ribbed ones are beautiful, so fine and such a good colour [sic]. The enclosed note for Miss Hartwell, would you be so kind as to let William cary [sic] it to her, she is working at present at Mrs Abbot [sic] Lawrence’s, we are sorry to trouble you but it contains a message that is quite important, that Mother forgot to tell her while up here. Flowers are beginning to make their appearance here, I have now quite an assortment before [may?], which came from Sam’s garden. I should think you would regret the departure of Mr. Hodgskinson very much, he was so constantly “on hand.” I have [shown?] Mr. T. riddle up here, every one I have exhibited to were about as stupid as us, quite out of countenance when they found out the simplicity of it. You ask me now and then to give you a scap [sic] of my journal, I would comply very easily now, for will you believe it? I have had a blank this last week, having [page 3] arrived at such a pass that all words fail to express the horrid monotony of each succeeding day! I am really ashamed to send this letter it is so utterly destitute either of news or amusement, but you must take the “will for the deed” and believe I would write a longer and a more interesting epistle if I would scrape up the least particle to communicate. I have quite astounded mother by my accounts of your brother’s pictures, she quite regrets not having been there when they arrived. Is Miss Gold still with you? If she is tell her, I am profiting by her friendly advice, and actually opened “the Christian’s [verse?] book” last Sunday, and it was a lovely day [True?]. Remember me to your Father,
and believe me yours affectionately
Caroline F.

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