File:Fanny Appleton to Nathan Appleton, 21 March 1832 (ede8b473-583e-47cd-8f27-1f1788687d28).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-002#007

Boston Mar 21st 1832.
 Seems to me, dearest Papa, that your letters are as short and  far between as you declare mine to be.  But I suppose you are so continually occupied that you can find no time for writing.  Because I do not have as much time as other folks, I am favoured with fewer of your epistles than the rest.  But before a vast time I hope to have daily communication with you, without the necessity of expressing my thoughts on paper, which is rather a poor substitute for the human tongue. – I am afraid you will now have the pleasure very soon of attending on Mr Mountaintop, as you call our Indian friend, for I believe, like a dutiful son, he has gone to visit his wife’s parents, somewhere in the land of Canaan.  So our voyage to Charlestown has blown away like smoke, and it seems to me that it must have been a dream, so suddenly did it appear, and so suddenly [p. 2] vanish.  But for my part, I was very sorry it was not executed, for we should all have derived so much pleasure and health.  But as the decree has passed, it is not worth while to talk about it – for we have Washington in view, which will fully recompense all disappointment, if there was any. – I have just been writing as enormous sermon of 5! pages! from Mr Gannett, which reminds me of the time when we used to put all our brains together, to find some ideas, out of which I could form a composition. – I now alas! have no such kind Papa to assist me in my scholastic labours, and to lighten my task by assurances and consolations.  Mother is better to day, and I doubt not will in a few days be as well as she has been all winter.  It appears to me that I shall never get through this letter, for I have to stop every minute to cough, being troubled with a slight cold, and I feel so utterly stupid, that I know not what I am about, for it is a most somniferous, rainy day, which unfortunately it generally is, when I write to you, and does not help much towards [p. 3] the agreeableness of my letters. – You must know that I have two droll little white mice, what perform all kinds of antics, serve to amuse the family, and to exercise my skills in housewivery in supplying them with food, which is not seldom, and rendering their residence as agreeable to them as possible, by cotton wool &c – You would be amused to see them stretch up their heads & endeavor to get out of the top of the glass globe, and devour every thing so eagerly, holding it in their paws like squirrells [sic]!
 There is no news whatever except Mr Rollins’ death, which you have probably heard of.  His wife has still not recovered from the effects of it, and is quite unwell.  Charles must take this to the P.O. this afternoon, therefore I must stop my pen, though truly I could not desire any thing more to say, for the rest write so often that nothing happens without their instantly writing to you, before I have a chance – but I may assure you which no other person can do more me, of my great desire to see my beloved Papa, which I hope will ere long be realised [sic], and when I can express to him without the obstruction of such a horrible pen!, of the undying love & affection of his aff daughter Fan. –
 Addressed: Hon Nathan Appleton. / M. C. / City of Washington / D.C. –
 Postmark: BOSTON / MAR 21 / MS
 Endorsed: Fanny March 21

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