File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Anne Longfellow Pierce, 24 April 1848 (19157c4f-1d8b-4ee6-9344-939d606a86aa).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-018#042

Monday mn’g
Dearest Annie,
I sent Mrs Nichols letter to Aunt Nancy on Saturday morning, as you desired, & she sends me word in answer that she would be most happy to write the letter to Mr Higginson but that he is now on his return home, so that it would be quite useless.
Stevy’s ship does not sail for a fortnight, which time I have urged him strongly to pass here, & save you [p. 2] all the pang of a second farewell, but he will not consent to do so, & will either accompany his father today, or come down, in a day or two, in the Propeller.
Henry had a long, serious talk with him Saturday morning to dissuade him from the voyage, &, with the pain of leave-taking fresh in his heart, he seemed quite willing to resign it, at least for a year, but after he had seen [p. 3] the ship, his deeply-rooted mania came uppermost again, & his father seems persuaded that he would not be at home a week without longing to gratify it, to the injury of any other employment he might take up.
I have had two cousins with the same disease, & manifested at as early an age. One was cured by a single voyage, & the other by half a dozen, so perhaps it is better to give the dose now, on the homeopathic [p. 4] principle of what gives the disease cures it also.
I can truly feel for Grandmama’s anxiety & concern, for he seems very young to encounter such perils & fatigues, but others survive them safely. I should feel, if his mother, greater fear of the contamination of bad habits &c, and am sorry to see he already loves a cigar. I hope he will return with no worse use of the dirty plant.
We will certainly do all we can to aid him on his way, but hope M. will not come to see him off, because a scene before the sailors might annoy him longer than the moment, - & it would be easier parting from her at home. Try to dissuade her if you can, that is [p. 1 cross] if she seems inclined to indulge her maternal feelings so far. I am quite troubled about Stephen’s cough & hope he will soon lose it in camp. I think Henry will be with you next Saturday, going down Friday pm. I have passed an ev’g at the Nortons to see Aunt Nancy when she first came & have urged her to give me one but she excused herself – has called however. Sam is to preach at the Port next Sunday. I am sorry Dash is on yr [p. 2 cross] hands, & hope he will prove no trouble. Chicks all well
with love to all ever thy aff Fan

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