Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-002#003

Feb 3d 1832 – ½ past 8 P.M.
 Dearest Papa,
 As the “cretins” are quite still (for a wonder) I will attempt writing to you, to inform you of my reception of your very amusing letter, which delighted me exceedingly.  So you have at last made a speech!  And such a good one cries one – and so well delivered, another; and so to the point exclaims a third.
 Therefore, you see your praises are abundant in this region, and now you have once broken the bonds of silence, I doubt not but they will be encreased [sic] in a wonderful degree. – A-hem!
 I feel almost tired to death, for I have been dancing till my feet aked [sic].  Some consolation, however, that this is the last lesson!  To conclude, therefore, Mr Papanti had last night a ball for all his scholars, which was inexpressibly stupid for all lookers on, who were not able to participate in all the many intricacies of the Mazurka & waltz.  However, there were [p. 2] some fancy dances which were really quite pretty, particularly one by two little girls, dressed in the Swiss costume. –
 Tom has just gone out in the rain to join Mary’s wedding party, after sundry precautions from Mother as to wrapping up &c which were not vastly well attended too [??] fear, as he declared, that “It was strange to believe people grown; and old enough to take care of himself &c &c - - - 
 We have all been deeply engaged in reading a book, entitled “the Affianced one”, by Miss Inglis, one of those Scotch ladies of whom you have heard.  We were enchanted with it, and it certainly displays a great deal of talent & wit.  On the strength of that, Mary has formed a most violent friendship with the fair authoress, and is very much pleased with her.  There is but one copy in Boston, and therefore (entre nous) the wonderful Silence pervading this room may in part be accounted for. – Today has been warm enough certainly full as warm as Spring – therefore you may imagine the agreeableness of the walking.  However the snow will be dispersed, and that is the strongest of Winter’s chains broken.  Have you got those droll like verses yet?  How it must amuse you to endeower to trace out some resemblance in them to your dear little [inserted: What a brute!”] “chickens” at home, mine in particular.
 [p. 3] Vast many parties at present – seven last night and almost as many tonight.  Our gayety always goes by fits and starts sometimes dull-enough, and at others almost too gay, for those who like to attend all the “fights”(as Tom calls them_ wherever they are given.
 - “The waning hour to-bedward bids,
 And heavy sleep sits waiting on my lids” – therefore I must give my evening kiss to dearest Papa in imagination since not in reality and stop my flowing pen –
 Good night-!
 Votre filiei carrider – Fan - - -
  [MAM’s hand] I went to see Miss Mason, the other day, at Mrs Amos Lawrence’s, & Mr L. insisted upon my going up stairs to make him a visit.  I found him occupying two large rooms, in great style; a chamber & sitting room rellming in a most charming green plush easy chair, of which he showed me all the conveniences for sleeping, lolling &c, with a crimson velvet cap on his head, & altogether quite gay.  He made many compliments upon your speech, which seemed to delight him much. - & he said he had just been writing you about it, & I believe he made himself quite sick for a little while, by the interest he took in it.  – I have the felicity of hearing congratulations upon it from Mr Rice, Mr E. A. Bonne, & such like. – Mrs Rice came to me the other night, at a petite musical party, “I suppose you hear news often from your Father; I hear of him through the papers” – with what was intended for a very emphatic & arch fling of the head forward.  But I am afraid the speech was not original with her, I have heard t from so many others.  Her caro sposo walks across the room with an air of the deepest [p. 4] mystery & importance, as though on each wrinkle of that forehead depended the fate of empires, each glance o those keen gray eyes was to give the nod to listening willows “Well, Miss Appleton, your Father has made a fine speech!!”  Oh! very fine! say I with the most unconcerned air, for there is no use in simpering, & putting on a pretty face of modest consciousness. - - I had a very pleasant time at this aforesaid musical party, at Mrs R. Cobb’s.  Mrs MacLeod & Miss Inglis were there, & played on the harp & piano, & I found them very entertaining. – Mr R. was peculiarly brilliant. – He took quite a long stride, (by way of exercise, I suppose) to day to Aunt Sam & me who were sitting on a cricket in the corner – “You have got quite a cosy seat, Mrs Appleton, hah! hah! hah!” & then retraced on his steps.  “I think upon the whole, that Miss Inglis plays uncommonly well on the harp” – was one of his last oracles, but he is rather too [???] to be made so much of.  Enchanting weather!  Some of the boats that cant mn upon the Delaware & Potomac might be of great use to navigate our shoals.
 Good bye, Marie
 [p. 1 cross, MAM hand] Aunt Sam says she had discovered why you could not read the whole of you letters, for you had too much else to think of just then: a bad time for your correspondents!
 Addressed: Hon. Nathan Appleton / M.C. / City of Washington / D.C.
 Postmark: BOSTON / FEB 4 / MS
 Endorsed: Fanny & Mary / Feby 3.

• Keywords: correspondence; frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); nathan appleton; mary (appleton) mackintosh; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1832 (1011/002.001-002); (LONG-FileUnitName)