File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Mary (Longfellow) Greenleaf, 6 January 1858 (45856bec-b191-4efc-a49e-300892a6d05c).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-028#001

Cambridge Jan 6th 1858.
Dearest Mary,
I am, as usual, rather late in my New Year wishes, and I am sorry not to have anticipated your letter of yesterday as I hoped to do. But, at this season, there seems to be such an accumulation of pleasant things to do, in the way of remembering friends, that the more distant ones have to wait. I felt especially anxious too to know how you were, having been alarmed by Mr Colburn’s account of your illness, but as you do not mention it I hope it was not as serious as it promised.
The pecan nuts arrived safely, a few days since, in excel [p. 2] lent condition, and were warmly welcomed. I only fear the juveniles will have too ardent an attachment to them. Give James our hearty thanks for so kindly troubling himself.
We have had a wonderful Italian winter thus far, of balmiest days & softest nights, a prolonged October, or more with a Spring charm in it, and altho’ a snow-storm has, at last, come, the sunshine is as warm as ever & it will not probably last. I see, by the paper, violets have bloomed in the open air at New Haven, so you can imagine how we have been favored.
The house has been uncomfortably warm, it is so difficult to moderate a furnace. New Years day was glorious with sunshine & warmth, and altogether, I have found it im [p. 3] possible to get up the Xmas feeling, usually associated with such cold. We had a very merry one, however, at our papa’s, Naty dressing up as Santa Claus, with a pannier of presents on his back as a variety from the usual Xmas tree. Edie came home triumphant with a doll as big as herself. For Christmas Eve Erny prepared, for Alice’s little friends, a Tree which he cut down himself in the woods, shouldered home like a young giant, and decorated entirely by his own taste, and very pretty it was, each little damsel carrying off several tiny gifts – some made by himself such as paper dolls & baskets. Then, as I usually reserve my gifts for N. Year, he appeared with snowy hair & beard as the Old Year & again made the [p. 4] little ones happy, so you see they have enjoyed this pleasant season as one likes to see them. We sent off a box to Portland which seems to have been welcome there.
It is very fortunate for the many poor this [crossed out: season] weather has been so mild, but here many men depend on the ice-cutting which they have lost thus far, so it is to be hoped a change may come. The terrible financial hurricane has sobered all our cities probably. In Boston there has been no gaiety – only quiet tea-parties, and charity concerts & tableaux &c. These latter were very brilliant & successful all the beauties joining to adorn them.
Here we had a very good charity concert, got up by the ladies, at which Miss Greenough, Miss Fay & Miss Goodrich &c sang. We have been very quiet. I find it hard to disappoint the boys of their nights reading & very rarely go out. My brother looks in on us daily & gets on very comfortably in his new house. With his pictures & books about him & his easel always [p. 1 cross] open he finds the time only too short. Willy & Harry we also see daily and they seem to be going on very well. The children are perfectly well and – little Annie is especially cunning, being so very bright & forward in talking. Mr Sumner dined with us yesterday, & gave us most entertaining accounts of his English experiences, where he visited in grander houses than any American has done. He is unable still to make any mental exertion & is far, far from well. With Henrys love & mine to James ever
Yr affte Fanny E.L.
[p. 2 cross] The Lawrence tragedy has no mitigation I fear. Poor Mrs L. is quite crushed & the family feel this stain on their honored name deeply. The revelations of moral weakness are the saddest part of this whole calamity. [p. 3 cross] Perhaps if we treated such things as crimes, as they do in England, it would be better for all tempted men.

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; people; document; holidays; christmas; subject; family life; social life; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1858 (1011/002.001-028); (LONG-FileUnitName)