File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Anne Longfellow Pierce, 18 September 1859 (25e37cc0-eb4b-451a-8706-61abd15d0e41).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-029#014

Cambridge. Sep 18th 1859.
Dear Annie,
Most pleasant was the sight of your rare handwriting & very tempting the invitation it conveyed. It would give me great delight to be again in the old homestead, surrounded by all the dear faces, visible and invisible, & such a reunion would be far more interesting to me than the sight of the greatest of ships, but I am fast fettered by my little ones, & I do not see how I can either leave them, or take them on a journey so late in the season, in such crowds as we should encounter, - unwilling as I am to disappoint you.
[p. 2] The day before we left Nahant the weather was intensely cold & with a raging wind, which went thro’ all one’s nerves, & the shock of this sudden change, even after such a cool summer, on Annie’s little sensitive frame brought on convulsions, a thing she never had before, & which gave us a day of great alarm & anxiety. It seemed as if she would die in my arms before I remembered what to do, & then, & even after we got a doctor, so long before her darling face showed any signs of consciousness & recognition.. At last the natural look came back to her eyes, & she put up her little hand for me to kiss.
She had fortunately no return of the trouble, - &, as we were nearly [p. 3] packed, we were able to come up the next day & never was I more thankful to reach my comfortable home, especially as the impending storm has come.
You can imagine that this has made me more timid than ever of exposing her to the chances & fatigues of a journey, - & I feel myself quite broken down with this excitement & the wearisome task of moving a whole family from Nahant here.
Henry & the boys will certainly accept your hospitality, & I hope you will have a delightful gathering of the family, & be spared any other guests.
Portland must be rather anxious at the approach of such an army, but, fortunately, many after [p. 4] satisfying their curiosity can return to Boston.
I have seen Mary & James, but not yet their house, the storm having prevented, - but for tomorrow there is every indication of fine weather when I hope to get out.
I had a glimpse of Sam on his return from you, & we discussed the Bellows’ blast.
My brother goes this coming week to the Adirondack, with some ladies, so he will not get a peep of the big steamer – unless it remains a long time. I look at it in the Illustrated News & fancy I can appreciate its size.
With best love to Aunt Lucia & Lizzy & Alick, & with many kisses from the children, ever yr loving
Fanny E.L.
[p. 1 cross] I shall go & see Mrs Nichols as soon as I am rested.

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; document; family life; health and illness; social life; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1859 (1011/002.001-029); (LONG-FileUnitName)