File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Mary (Appleton) Mackintosh, 9 May 1856 (41926c44-a699-47ac-9f91-6950f542944a).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-026#005

Cambridge. May 9th
1856.
Dear Mary,
I am sorry to have let slip so many steamers, for you must be anxious to know how poor Charlie is getting on, but my time is so absorbed with him & the nursery I only remember them when it is too late. Yesterday, the Boston one went, with Mrs Howland Shaw & her family, but I hope to catch the N. York one for this.
A few days since good, old Dr Warren departed this life, breaking down at last more from trouble of mind about Mason, who has been very ill abroad, than from any disease. He [p. 2] died in his chair quite suddenly at last. He is so associated with my childhood & had such a strong friendship for my sainted mother that I feel I have indeed lost a very near & dear friend tho’ I have seen little of him late years. It is sad that Mason should be away, & ill at this time. I am thinking what will be done now with mother’s portrait, which has always been in his room, thro’ even his second marriage. If Tom does not wish it, would you? I might see if the family would resign it.
Charlie continues to go on as well as possible, and the Dr thinks his hand will be quite healed in a fortnight. He bears the daily dressing very bravely, to the Dr’s great admiration, & Charlie says [p. 3] he thinks he is less nervous about it when we are not present, that sympathy makes a coward of him. He goes out freely tho’ not to school & is very restless – I wish he were fonder of reading, to himself, but I still have to do that for him or he will go without. He has been very gentle & patient & cheerful thro’ this trouble, which has helped us much, but it will be a fresh shock to me when his hand is uncovered, & I see the life-long mutilation. We are still rather undecided about our plans for the summer. Tom threatens to desert us with the Storys, but cares so little about it that he would stay if I urged him, which I do not like to do, as he is getting restless, &, being quite dissatisfied with his town quarters, thinks he will have a better chance to find something to his [p. 4] mind after an absence. If he could find a house at Newport to suit him I think he would buy it, he likes that climate so much, &I believe has gone down now to look at land. We shall probably go there, to our last year’s lodgings, but I care little to go, & but for the sea-air for the children should be well content to stay quietly at home. Alice has gone to her first school – taught by a nice young lady, very near, &, as yet, of only 6 little girls her age & acquaintance, so that she enjoys it highly. Baby is very vigorous & lively – the most bouncing girl I have had, & begins to worry somewhat with her teeth. Cambridge looks very suburban with the cars of the horse-rail road sweeping by every few minutes.
We are rejoicing in Motley’s success with his history. I congratulated his papa, at Miss Lothrops wedding visit, the other day who seemed highly pleased, [p. 5 marked 2] The three histories weigh upon me like an incubus. I hope to find time to accomplish them during the summer.
Henry dined, a few days ago, with Prescott – a farewell dinner to Mr Ticknor who sails, with his wife & Anna, in June. Lizzy is to be married & take their house. Half Boston has migrated this Spring, & the Storys & Tom are strongly tempting us to go, and Hawthorne writes to Henry that he ought to come, to enjoy his June in England, but the spirit does not move us -, &, with five children, it is pretty formidable to get uprooted.
If you could manage it could you send me a daguerreotype or photograph, of my portrait you have? I should like it for the children. I mean the water-color miniature. Henry would like some time some [p. 6] account of Lord Valentia’s family, & Bletchington Park if Robert ever indulges in details.
Sumner intends to give a great Kansas speech before the end of the campaign. I see Punch is getting saucy again about Louis Napoleon which is rather refreshing to us on this side. Jenny Lind’s tribute to Florence Nightingale was a charming crown to her many noble deeds. Have you heard of Mr Palfrey anywhere near you? He writes that he feels ten years younger already.
Uncle Sam’s house is sold to a Mr Mussey, a thriving publisher, given to hospitality! I am glad it is to no acquaintance, for, if it were, I might be tempted hereafter to enter [p. 7] it, and it would be very painful to me. Now, I shall try to fancy it hermetically sealed just as it was.
Emmeline goes to Geneseo in a few days, & thence to the Norton’s house at Newport. She was very kind in our distress about Charlie, & such a trouble is a most consoling test of peoples’ kindness of heart which we sometimes get to doubt when all goes well with us. A part of the salutary discipline of such things to be grateful for with the rest. Mrs Robert Sedgwick is here with Mrs Channing & has called, but I have not yet seen her.
I told you I think of Mrs Bangs death. We went to the funeral & saw poor Ned bury his mother in the snow-covered ground, & [p. 8] kissing her cold forehead, take flowers from her shroud. Since then flowers have sprung above the snow - & trust some are growing in their hearts above that snow of death.
We have a charming picture in the study of old Humboldt in his study – such a serene, genial-looking old man, writing on his knee, surrounded by his books & maps.
Miss Davie walked out here the other ev’g with Mrs Tudor & back again, with hardly any rest, for fear of the dark! She will go soon with them to Nahant, but has had such a gay winter in town she is not over anxious to go, I think. Mrs T. gives her enormous walks, & is full of vigor & spirits, having brought out Effie, who is a sweet, modest little girl. Mrs Sophie is also flourishing in N. York. Best love to Robert, who I hope is beginning to enjoy “the season”. Kisses to [p. 1 cross] dear Eva, who must write the boys again. Henry is busy & well – what of him that is not buried under correspondence. With most afte greetings to Mrs Rich & Mrs Wedgwood,
ever yr loving
Fanny E.L.

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; people; document; family life; subject; events; death; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1856 (1011/002.001-026); (LONG-FileUnitName)