File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Anne Longfellow Pierce, 19 October 1852 (563684b5-b9ea-4297-bd0a-8f81790a08d6).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-022#024

Cambridge Oct 19th 1852.
Dear Anne,
I believe I have not actually congratulated you & Alex & Lizzie upon the new blessing – so I desire to do so now in the warmest manner. I was so busy talking it all over with Mary before she left that I felt as if I had talked with you. She showed me your letter & we rejoiced to know all went off so happily & Alex comfortably out of the way of the anxiety. With his love of children what delight he must be in! I can see [p. 2] him officiating as nurse most admirably, supporting the baby’s neck at just the right angle (or rather no angle at all) & in fact showing all Henry’s genius in such matters.
You left us in a most perplexing state of uncertainty as to the sex of the newly-arrived, but fortunately Sam came in time to relieve our minds. How is the little damsel flourishing - & her mamma? We are very anxious to know further. I hope Lizzie is to have the great joy of nursing her baby & is beginning to gain Some strength.
It was born on my birthday [p. 3] (which is also my father’s) so I take an especial interest in its well-being.
Poor Mrs Dexter who had a boy a few days after, was very ill & is quite unable to perform the ‘maternal functions’ as they are called.
Sam went off to Edward Hale’s wedding & is now I hope enjoying the glory of Berkshire & the warm hearts which beat there. I gave him letters to the Sedgwicks, & to my aunt Mrs Gold at Pittsfield, & I envy him the sight of those hills in their autumnal transfiguration. My sister, being warmly urged by Mrs Wadsworth to visit her & fearing she might [p. 4] be summoned back to Antigua before Mrs W. comes to Boston for the winter, set off yesterday for Geneseo with Mr Austin. I fear the journey will be too much for her, but she was very anxious to see her old friend in her affliction & I could not discourage it under so good an escort. Mr Murray is there to help settle the estate, so they will have a pretty melancholy party. My brother Tom is to sail in a week for England, feeling his old restlessness return. The boys go on with their lessons famously with Miss Davie & are beginning to read French. Baby is sweeter every day & knows everything. Have you heard from Mary? We so wished you had been here the last week. How is Sophia in these days? I pity her from my soul. I was very glad to see Stephy so grown & improved. It must be a great [p. 1 cross] comfort to you. I write in haste for a gentleman is coming to dinner. Our best love to Aunt Lucia & Harry – Alex & Lizzie & a kiss to little Mary
ever yr affte
Fanny E.L.

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; people; document; social life; family life; education; subject; pregnancy and childbirth; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1852 (1011/002.001-022); (LONG-FileUnitName)