File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Anne Longfellow Pierce, 1 September 1844 (1ea242d8-e643-4531-81e5-e0c36950372a).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-014#019

Cambridge. Sep 1st 1844.
I am shocked to find that a whole week has flown by, dear Annie, since we left Portland and I have not found time before to send you a line. What with Commencement, baby & household matters every moment has been filled - & I am glad the Commodore went so opportunely to relieve any anxieties you might have felt about our safe return. The journey home was very much more comfortable than our previous one – the “Ladies Saloon” more spacious, with good sofas & much less motion; [crossed out: where] we mustered there quite a nursery of all ages, one little girl just 3 days older than baby, & an infant Hercules of 9 months overflowing with activity & good nature but making his poor Mamma a skeleton by sleepless nights & his inordinate appetite. The heat & fatigue were sufficient to make me very thankful to arrive in Boston where we encountered Emmeline Austin & her brother who had been with us from Salem without our knowing it provokingly. We found our house in dismal confusion, the painters & masons having delayed their work so that we returned in the midst of it, but were very glad to welcome Sam & Alex under our roof, uninviting as all things appeared. Sam is henceforth to [p. 2] appropriate the nursery, which being unfurnished he can fill with his own old college friends, & which he thinks he shall find more convenient than any other room though I give him the choice of the house as our best beloved guest. I am delighted he is to remain with us, & hope for great happiness in [crossed out: the] daily intercourse with his beautiful & spiritual nature. Baby is deposited in the room you occupied, which is a sunnier one for him while so young, & is but little further removed from me. He is perfectly well & grows merrier & fatter every day. I discover no ill effects from his journey, & he has not had a violent crying spell since his return – I only wish he had behaved as well in Portland & really grieve that those troubles should have come upon him where they disrupted so many - & where I wished him to leave only a sunny impression behind him. Dr Wesselhoft has sent us a book called the “Domestic Physician” on the homeopathic principle, which seems to be very useful for simple ailments & which I should have been glad to have before.
Short as my visit was to Portland, it being my only one any-where from home for a year gives it a peculiar charm. It was enjoyed with a much calmer, happier feeling than my first – for I was then too anxious - & strange to all, now I have the delightful consciousness of having been under a Father’s roof - & of seeing there my own family. Yet I regret, dear Annie, that we [p. 3] had so little time for free interchange of thoughts – I must claim another quiet visit from you when I may make up this loss.
I was brave enough to sit through the Commencement oration & poem. The former was very noble & eloquent – Dr Putnam’s unflinching justice & earnestness for truth remind me of Dr Nichols. I hope this oration will be published that you may read his admirable critique on the false great minds of Europe &c [crossed out: the] For vigor & depth of thought it surpassed Hillard I think. The poem by young Story, son of the Judge, was very brilliant – but terribly long. I sat behind his Mother & watched her anxiety with painful interest, wondering if the time would ever come when I should be agitated in like manner. Henry has just given me a book which would delight you Miss Martineau’s “Life in a Sick Room” – The sty[le] is very beautiful & the thoughts more beautiful still – a spirit of peace & lofty patience are in it which could only emanate from a soul perfected through suffering. Your friend Miss Brown mentions it I think in her lovely letter – to her it would be most welcome.
I hope all have been well since we left, that Father is himself again & my dear little Mother is as cheerful & [crossed out: sure] strong as she was when I was near her. She will be interested to know that I have rejected groats for the baby & inflict nothing harsher than good milk upon his delicate stomach. I am impatient to show him off to Mrs Blake who will appreciate his gain in size & hair & intend to effect a meeting speedily. I am exceedingly pleased with Alex; [p. 4 bottom] he seems to be a very good, modest boy & I hope will thrive here mentally & spiritually.
I could not help giving the Commodore hope of winning you to Washington – but do not disappoint him or I shall regret it. There is some selfishness mingled with my desire that you should have that enjoyment – for after finding such a project practicable it will seem very easy to slip away to us now & then – though [p. 4 top] Heaven defend me from any treacherous thoughts towards those who need you so much at home.
We may look for Mary soon I trust – I must now say good bye with much love to one & all
from their ever affte
Fanny L. ADDRESSED: MRS PIERCE. / CARE OF HON S. LONGFELLOW. / PORTLAND. / ME.
POSTMARK: FORWARDED / BY / HALE & CO. / GREAT / EASTERN MAIL
ENDORSED, PENCIL: BABY, PORTLAND VISIT / COMM &C – / 1844

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