File:Charles Sumner to Fanny Longfellow, c. October 1844 (1c64451e-aa5b-443a-b710-8e8f382b4f04).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/2.2-148#08

Court St
Monday Afternoon
My dear Fanny,
When I went home at noon to see Mary (_h_y) (mother) in the (ca_) for Worchester. I heard a glad voice- “Do look at the beautiful flowers which Fanny Longfellow has sent me, and an exquisite note.” Mary was gay and seemed unconscious that there was a stern hand already laid on her which no care, no affection, can remove. I was obliged to leave the room, and in the solitude of my chamber, wept like a child – to think that so much beauty of character and (passion), so much goodness, so much virtue, so much simplicity and sweetness, so much grace, and culture, (__e) to pass away as the (breath) of (_ap_ur) slowly dissolves itself in the thin air. She asked me to give you the enclosed note.
I thought of (retreating) to you tonight; but I shall remain with my dear sister Julia. Perhaps, tomorrow night I may join you.
Hillard gave me pleasant tidings of your “Saturday Night.” Medora has peculiar talent and character, uncommon resources of mind; but her key-note is from the world. She is evidently of a stronger nature than her husband, and does not love him so well – as I hope to be loved, some time in the distant future.
Love to Henry (dem),
Affectionately Thin

• Keywords: charles sumner; correspondence; document; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; long archives; manuscript; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters to Frances Longfellow (1011/002.002); (LONG-SubseriesName); Charles Sumner (1011/002.002-148); (LONG-FileUnitName)