File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Nathan Appleton, 8 August 1855 (155cab3e-5328-477b-b633-ef537b60ee63).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-025#012

Newport. Wednesday
Dear papa,
I believe Tom has written between my pauses to tell you of our manifold doings.
We hoped you might be tempted to come & see Newport for yourself, as Tom could resign his room, easily, for a few days. We have a tiny spare-room he could take, which Miss Hensler now occupies for this week. We find her a very pleasant unaffected damsel & hope her Concert on Monday next will succeed. She will go to the Ocean House on Saturday, to be there with her sister until it is over. She was just in time for a very fine Concert given in the pretty [p. 2] Catholic church here to buy it an Organ. All the world was there & applauding, with Opera vehemence to Opera airs, sung by Brignoli & Madame La Grange & a few N. York amateurs – A strange thing to be allowed in consecrated ground, tho’ the altar was shrouded, - but, from under their cotton veils, the marble angels had to hear Casta Diva & other profane hymns.
Emmeline bloomed into a straw bonnet with white feathers & looked charmingly. Such rainbow flounces & fluttering of fans! After it was over we all streamed away to the beach for a most gorgeous sunset – ‘making the queen (sea) one red.’
Yesterday was the Episcopal Fair – with many pretty things, & [p. 3] pretty ladies to sell them. In the ev’g the Germanians & a crowd, & the bachelors all came home with bouquets & pincushions. Tom bought a pair of shoes for Edy of orange ruchno, originally intended for a baby of six months, - so wise are un-paternal males.
We had a charming afternoon lately at Mrs Howe’s romantic valley. We took the children & Tennyson’s new poem of Maud, & Curtis read it aloud melodiously to the music of the brook. We had tea on a long table out of doors, & both young & old enjoyed it highly.
A large yachting party of ladies & gentlemen which we were invited to join but declined got caught in the violent thun [p. 4] der shower on Saturday & had a dreary landing in the storm. The weather continues very changeable - & unlike Newport’s traditionary [sic] good repute. Today is quite autumnal, but these frequent rains allay our dust, for which we are grateful. Wm A. Jr has been to see us, looking pale but well, & his wife daily drives by us with the pale children. It is curious to see the tide turn not of the sea only but of fashion. The moment the beach cannot be used every horse’s head is turned Bateman-ward, &, as we are on the way, we see all the show from our piazza. I think the life & stir here would amuse you for a little, & to see the fine villas with their beautiful grounds where flowers & shrubbery are as fresh & finished as in England Tom’s & Kensetts stones were in great demand at the Fair & they could have sold many more at high prices. Mrs [p. 1 cross] Sears just dropped in, her carriage having broken down on her way to see Cora Shaw at Bateman’s. Poor Crowninshield has left. Tom saw him. Mrs Frank Shaw is here with beautiful girls, one very like Marion. She drives Miss Hensler this afternoon.
We long to read Sidney South. Love to all.
Yr affte
Fanny.
ENDORSED: FANNY AUG 55

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