File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Mary (Appleton) Mackintosh, 8 April 1848 (e7d96bd8-9e21-4d5b-baab-34e25db955fd).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-018#005

Cambridge
April 8th 1848.
Dear Annie
This note will probably be heralded by Signor Dash whose unexpected presence will not, I trust, throw the house hold into consternation. He demands only a traveller’s [sic] hospitality.
Finding the hostility to dogs here was increasing, Jane Norton & Bella B. having lost two fine ones by poison not to mention people of lesser note, I wrote to Alex [p. 2] to state our alarm for Dash’s life. He writes in return that as it is not very practicable to ship him to his floating haven (I suppose you know he is surveying on board the US. Schooner Bancroft, - which is under his orders, the western part of Albemarle Sound) that we had better “send him to Portland to be delivered to Oliver G. Fessenden Esq, who once asked me to leave Dash in his charge, or else to be sent to Gorham or Hiram, in whichever place he would be most [p. 3] welcome.” We would rather risk his life than trouble you with him, knowing he is no favorite, but Alex seems so confident Mr Fessenden will take him, we merely send him to you to be delivered elsewhere by Stephen. I cannot say I have had much comfort in him, for he was too much a rover to be a good watch-dog & excited such mortal terror in the children that I dreaded leaving them in his way. But he is a good, gentle beast & should have a master always near him; he [p. 4] seems lost & melancholy with out one. Alex’ water-survey must be very pleasant. He complains much of getting no letters from home, & feels anxious to hear all are well. His direction is Edenton North Carolina –
Sammy passed Saturday night with us – the first time we have seen him. He has not been working too hard as yet, - & I fear will find his stock of sermons exhausted all at once, but he says he cannot write till inspired by some particular subject. I am compiling texts for him as we read thro’ the Bible Sunday evenings, having begun the Old Testament this winter, - which I confess is rather a melancholy task to me for it is some years since I have read it so regularly, & I find my childish faith [p. 1 cross] much chilled by maturer thought – I cannot accept the God of the Hebrews as my God – the Just & Merciful.
Sam seems to like very well his new home but finds it hard to get acquainted with such a business-bound community who have no time to be with their families. Weiss’ sermon he brought us. I know I shall like it. Children all-well. Little Fan walks famously. Yesterday was her birthday. Much love to all from Henry & Fanny.
I suppose Mrs Mc gives glowing accounts of her visit, the dinner &c
[p. 3 cross] The Greenleafs have moved out to enjoy the spring. My poor cousin Mrs Sam Appleton is dying of consumption. Her father Mr Webster is nearly broken-hearted having just lost his son in Mexico –

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; people; document; social life; family life; subject; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1848 (1011/002.001-018); (LONG-FileUnitName)