File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Thomas Gold Appleton, 25 December 1860 (4b4b215f-96b8-4c39-a20c-ba35f61a1138).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-030#032

Cambridge Dec 25th 1860.
Dear Tom,
A merry Xmas to you! We hope to have one at papa's with the children & the young ladies. Last night I got up a tree at home, & not being able to secure the right kind in time, illuminated the old lemon tree & it was very pretty with its light foliage, sparkling tapers, & pendant gifts. Your boxes had the place of honor & were much admired, & we played the game of one of them the rest of the evening. The opening of the great box was delightful, and all enjoyed it much.
The packing was such a work of [p. 2] art that it seemed a pity to disturb it, & I called Rachel down to admire. As Henry sent the invoice in – it was as perfect as when it left the packers hands – I charmed with all my things. The ball-dress is beautiful in color & decoration, - & the bonnet is exquisite, ditto headdress. The street dress too very elegant. Alice was charmed with Emmeline's dainty present, & it was really like being in Paris for half an hour, - a glimpse into a world of refinement we are far from attaining, if we get more solid comforts.
The country is as unsettled as ever, tho’ the other States seem to pause before joining South Carolina's mad career. Her arrogance & dic- [p. 3] tation they do not relish, - & her wish to be the ruling power, though so small a state. She has nourished so intense a hatred for us, while we have only pity for her sin & folly, that she is hoping we are suffering great distress from her misconduct, but, as yet, there has been but very little trouble financially. The mills have cotton for six months and are going on as usual, & as Mr Wade, Senator from Ohio, says in an admirably calm, but firm, speech we only know her absence by the unwanted quiet of the Senate Chamber. The President’s refusing troops to defend Fort Moultrie at Charleston, & then offering to surrender it, at the mere will of the rebels, has caused great disgust, but I believe he has thought better of the last, or he would [p. 4] probably have been impeached, for being so recreant to his duty. Then there is a new excitement in the discovery of enormous frauds, perpetrated by prominent democratic politicians, & so we go on disgracing ourselves in a sickening manner – I hope we shall be able to say “Nous avons change tout cela” in a year, if we hold together so long.
As the Russian when angered betrays the Tartar so these Southerners show the tiger under their smooth skin. I am glad the Times so well rebuked Gov Brown’s atrocious message, but it is wonderful how patiently our people bear the outrages on innocent travellers from the North, hung, on mere suspicion, as they often are. We should not stand it long from a foreign country.
It is sad to think of these things on this day of “Peace & good will to men” & I hope [p. 1 cross] it may check some wicked thoughts. Papa is sorry he wrote you so despondingly, but he felt so, at the moment doubtless, & one forgets that a letter [crossed out: gives] shows often only the moment’s impulse, tho’ its durability gives it a false permanence.
Henry has been laid up with influenza, for a fort night, & cannot go in tonight. The boys expect to enjoy the dancing –
Good bye,
Yr loving
Fanny E.L.

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; document; social life; health and illness; family life; holidays; christmas; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1860 (1011/002.001-030); (LONG-FileUnitName)