File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Emmeline (Austin) Wadsworth, 5 January 1840 (7aeefd34-86ff-452d-aa60-586cd48b8700).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-010#005

Boston. Jan 5th 1840.
My darling E, -
I am utterly au despoir at the thought of seeing so little of you before I go South & I feel distressed indeed for the bereaved state in which I shall leave you, my second sister. If it is possible for us to get ready I should not wonder if we should leave here a week from tomorrow for Mackintosh thinks himself bound to return to his Washington duties as soon as possible. I found Mary as comfortable as I could wish in a sunny parlor with a big, cosy-looking sofa, & book-shelves in every direction, a nice coal fire &c. She says it seems as if she had been married a hundred years. & they both looked as happy as Miss La Creevy & Tim Linkinwater. I am really thankful Mrs Follen made such an à propos visit to N. York. Tom & Mack began a furious game of shuttlecock over our [p. 2] heads while Mary & I discussed matters. She says the neighbours are ever so civil & one damsel came & invited them to visit her fearing “they would be lonesome”!! They take tremendous walks thor’ the snow - & would be content to stay there a month if it could be. They gave us a very nice dinner of mince-meat & beefsteak – the snug dining-room & fare bearing some resemblance to Yale Manor, tho’ superior! It seemed odd enough to be sharing Mary’s hospitality. I have been, thank God, more resigned of late to this separation, I feel so ashamed of the selfishness of my sorrow, when I am convinced that she is on the threshold of a more durable & satisfactory happiness than she has ever experienced in the feverish state of spinsterhood. The Future appalls me, so I wisely think not of it & shall endeavor to borrow a reflection of their content & let my good genius take care of the rest. While I have such a true heaven-sent friend as you, my treasure, my lips should be only opened for thanks- [p. 3] giving. Your ring shall never leave my finger as the year it commemorates can never leave my heart. We have sounded each other’s characters more deeply - & become more dependant [sic] on mutual sympathy & confidence this past year than on any previous one & may God grant that this closely-linked union may be never dissolved in time or eternity by any circumstances we can overcome. I shudder at times when I think how important your love & society is to me here – & dread some cruel shock of destiny. I merit little such thorough comprehension of my every thought & feeling from any human creature. I did not intend to write you so serious an epistle for you need something more cheering in your present position. Sadly interesting must it be to watch the flickering of that clay-cumbered spirit so soon to breathe a heavenly atmosphere; it is an office full of the holiest awe to sit by a death-bed & feel ourselves the comforters of an immortal soul whom angels will [p. 4] ere long associate with. I hope Mrs C. is well enough to enjoy your society. Pray remember me most kindly to her.
Mary talked of coming in tomorrow to try on a dress – then I shall find out exactly when we go – oh I hope we shall have a few days together before this. I must kiss that dear mouth many times or my lips will die of thirst. Do not doubt that I love you, my bird, - much too much for this world – with its ever-shifting fortunes. This is secure however for it has interpenetrated my whole being is woven into the woof & cannot be pulled out but by destroying the identity of the stuff. I hope this note is not written too late but I had not an instant before to do it. Julia Appleton dined with us yesterday & she is immensely improved – has what Cooper would call great retenue of manner & yet much more communication than formerly; apparentment a very sensible, nice girl & will improve in looks & character as she grows older which is a good thing. I have missed you dreadfully but luckily have a great deal to do – so worry along. [p. 1 cross] Keep up your spirits, my darling, & trust that God who has bestowed upon you one such happy year as you say the last has been has the power & he will be lavish many more even brighter ones –
With the truest affection
your own Fan.

• Keywords: correspondence; document; people; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; family life; death; events; subject; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1840 (1011/002.001-010); (LONG-FileUnitName)