File:Fanny Appleton to Charles Appleton, 19 April 1832 (d6b6935d-f05f-4231-b43c-cb5f15b8dc2b).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-002#008

New York April 19th 1832.
 Dear Charlie,
 We have just received Mother’s letter and your postscription, which amused us vastly.  You had better take care how you treat the poor mice.  You know you are renowned for cruelty to animals, but you must not exercise it on them I can tell you.  Poor things.  I am afraid they will lament the loss of female treatment.  You see I have no idea of having my pets abused.  Here we are, just the same as ever – outdoors all rain & mud, and inside yawns and somniferousness.  No hope of change I fear this week, and we must stay here till we get two days of sunshine, at least.  Last night the Handys came to see us, and raved as much as usual.  Miss Elizabeth looks extremely well – quite handsome, and has lost that haggard expression she had when with us, being confident of approaching happiness.  They asked after you, and compassionated sufficiently.  We were asked to visit them tonight, but it is too dismal weather to venture out, and we are all stupid and lazy.  I suppose you will laugh well at our numerous adventures, but though not all agreeable, have added to the sport.  All except this raining, raining, there is no remedy for that.  We had the first evening resource to whist, and last night Mr Blake & Burns called in, and made quite a party.  you would have been amused to see the fuss there was [p. 2] to obtain some wine.  Such divers entrances of the servants, and mysterious whisperings and cards, till at last Aunt S. boldly demanded for Champaign, and a bottle was accordingly produced.  Mr Burns it is said is quite attentive to a very rich heiress that is residing at his hotel. – How true the report is, is yet in a mist.  Fine lover he would make truly!!
 Tell Mamma that we went to see Mrs Gardiner today, and found her quite cheerful, and looking very well, [crossed out: and] though thin.  She has a very good house, though a tremendous ways off – nearly two miles I believe from where we reside.  We had a visit from Miss Pine, and plenty from her brother, who is very officious.  Also from Mr Charles, & Robert Sedgewick – the former’s eye looks bad, and the latter as much like Mr Theodore [Sedgewick] as possible, and a great advocate for Lehigh coal, which has occasioned us much disagreeable feeling, not being used to it, and making us feel heavy and headachy.  Mary and Aunt S. are going to try Highland fling, in the lower Drawing room, leaving me to finish my letter alone, which they declare must be expeditious. –
 New York appears of course to great disadvantages, but looks very fine, and is truly an immense city.  We have a grand view from our windows, which I have been endeavoring to sketch though not very successfully.  We shall certainly attend to your injunctions concerning bosoms & studs, many of which we saw suspended in the windows of the shops as we rode by them today. – I suppose Hume comes on fast, now since [crossed out: the] opposite [p. 3] attractions are removed. Well you see we are very well pleased with New York. – particularly in the evening – it is excessively brilliant with its clean gas lights &c
 Give my best love to dear Mother, and tell her we are as well as could be expected such deplorable weather, and have begun to recover from [crossed out: our] the motion of the steamboat, which has stuck fast to us ever since we left it. – Write me soon, and give a particular account of the micettes
 Your affectionate sister
 Fan. –
 Addressed: C. S. Appleton. / Care of G. W. Paige & Co. / Boston. - / Mass. –
 Postmark: NEW-YORK / APR 19 / NY

• Keywords: correspondence; frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); charles sedgwick appleton; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1832 (1011/002.001-002); (LONG-FileUnitName)