File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Mary (Appleton) Mackintosh, 24 April 1835 (0892f0e4-cd8a-4fe2-acc7-cec4a098138a).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-005#003

Boston. April 24th. 1835.
I received your letter, from Baltimore, last evening, my sweetest, as I was enjoying a beautiful twilight at the window, - ‘T. Caddy’ having just stalked by.  Father demanded a ‘reading’, à l’ordinaire, and such work as I made of it!  I could have cried with vexation, & terror that I should, unwittingly, come out with something I only could understand, but I got through very well, considering [crossed out: but] and Aunt Sam soon came in, & satisfied them with hers.  How I wanted to have my poor, dear bear in my arms, that moment, “up up to my heart”!  Tom came in, & grumbled because I would not show him my letter, & Aunt Sam tried to fish out of me the secret in private: thought you must have had an offer &c &c.  They could not imagine that two people could have a thought that might not be bared to the whole world!  So dont [sic] write me, privately, again, dearest, tho’ I would give the world to know all thy feelings of every moment.  (The only living mortal to whom I dare say the same!)  The violets were so like some we had, just this time last year, that they startled me.  Oh how the world wags! – We have been quite dissipated this week, as a few weakly parties have started up from the ashes of the others.  Monday, we went to Aunt Wm, to a most stupid, meager, children’s cotillion party [p. 2] where the poor infantiles had to dance before a formidable row of solemn matrons criticizing every step.  I found it quite too much for my modesty, for which I was laughed at, next morning, by Father & Tom, who did’nt [sic] know it existed in the family!  Tuesday, Fanny Inglis asked me to come & see the children perform “Oberon &c” to Mrs Gardiner! (poor victims!)  I begged off with joy, as I had promised Aunt Sam a visit during the absence of the two gents, who had gone to Lowell.  I expected some fun, but was, as usual, deprived thereof by the entrance of Meir who had just returned from N Bedford & is sporting at last his own locks, looking somewhat like a shaven monk (as Aunt S. says.)  We had an insufferably dull rubber of whist which it nearly drives me crazy to play there.  The next night, we went to Mrs Warrens, a little party, for Mrs Gardiner, I suppose.  There, was the same solemnity & aimless gabbling, as usual, at a party where one is forced to imitate chickens & be a ‘unified; the same row of bowed-up relatives etc etc.  I seized hold of the Inglis’, as they were, at least, awake, & had some fun with Fanny, by our constantly making most mal à propos speeches, such as my talking about the final stupidity or death of precocious children, directly in Mrs Parkers ears, & she declaring the advantages of height before Miriam Perkins face.  She told me that George Parish has been made one of the principal partners in his fathers firm & will hereafter flourish solely in mercantile Hamburg!  ‘How are the mighty fallen’!  Tonight, we are going to Mrs Chase’s, & this, I believe, winds up our gadding.  Miss Francis had her wedding visit last night, an account of which I cannot give the girls as I have not heard a word yet. – I have given you quite a journal.  Who should I meet yesterday in the street but Dr Robinson!  I thought it was his [p. 3] wraith, ‘tho a fully substantial one!  We have had two letters from Charley (at Charleston) after 12 days passage, during which he was not the least sea sick, & saw 3 whales!  He had got Mr Mason’s letter, & hoped to meet you somewhere. – he had seen (tell Sophy) Edward Middleton, who invited him out to their place, but he was engaged & has not seen him since.  He thought of sending us a mocking-bird, but as it was dear, & difficult of exportation, concluded not to, to Aunt Sam’s infinite sorrow.  Tom’s eyes still continue blood-shot & weak – I think he is too careless of them.  He does not read or write, but paints all day long, declaring it does them no injury; he is now about a picture for Lizzy Wadsworth, from: “Last May a braw wooer came down the lang glen”. [crossed out: I think] It may be quite good, tho’ the “braw wooer” is rather too bulky & clownish & the fair damsel has an arm that might fell even him.  There is a new engagement!  William Channing, the young parson, to Miss Allen, Mrs Sparks’ sister!  And he has left his “affianced one” for Europe!  Cool, certainly.  Our household find me too indulgent, I am afraid, as they are getting rather dispirited.  Abby teased so hard to go last night to see “George Barnwell” at the Warren, that I yielded a slow consent – They went & did not see it, after all!  I still read aloud Crabbe in the evenings – tho somewhat common-place he nean falls.  You seem to be quite captivated by Mr Hammond!  I should like much to see him.  Aunt Sam exclaims against the name!  Mrs Bowen is going to have her ride, today, in Mrs A’s carriage, as the carry-all has not yet recovered its broken limbs.  Mrs Bartlett came up the other day, furious to see the “dear cretins,” but I was just going out, so sent her some cash & dispatched her.  Aunt Sam [p. 4 bottom] was much amused with your account of furniture &c.  She says it is only since you have been housekeeper you have noticed such things.  “The spirit is subdued to what it works in”!  Hadho!  I thought I had a deal to say when I began this letter & have written so close that I fear you wont [sic] be able to read it.  Reserve it then till you get “stuck” in some [p. 4 top] mud hole, when entertainment of any sort will be acceptable.  Give my best love to the “mariée” & all the girls.  Take care of your cold, write often, & dont [sic] cheat us of a moment beyond the appointed time.  Remember we count the days, & they are ½ gone already!  Farewell, ‘luz de mi ojo,’19 darling of my heart, “my Mary”!!! thy aff Fan.
  [p. 1 cross] Send us word, if we are to direct letters beyond Baltimore.
  Addressed: Miss Appleton. / Care of tiffany, Ward & Co. / Baltimore.
 Postmark: BOSTON/ APR 24 / MS

• Keywords: correspondence; frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; mary (appleton) mackintosh; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1835 (1011/002.001-005); (LONG-FileUnitName)