File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Emmeline (Austin) Wadsworth, 18 March 1851 (1f2f32a0-2c1e-46f2-8a6b-f0a6206677dc).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-021#009

Cambridge. Tuesday March 18
1851.
Dearest Emmeline, On Thursday last, Henry received a telegraphic dispatch from Portland with the sad news of his mother’s sudden death that morning He went directly thither & returned on Saturday, Tom coming out to cheer my solitude. She suffered no severe illness – only one of her usual colds & sank back in her chair without a pang – the gentle close to a long life of goodness – in harmony with her most gentle nature. She always seemed to me just hovering upon the brink of another world, & I always thought she would leave us thus quietly & peacefully.
We feel that we have no right to grieve that such a pure spirit is at last free from the weary body, - that after enduring much sorrow & constant illness (for even in summer she could [p. 2] hardly bear the harshness of her northern climate) she is released from all suffering – Still, a mother’s tenderness we shall always miss, & I wish my children could have been able to remember her. Her endurance of her great trial, two years since, filled me with admiration. She was far firmer than her children, tho’ so fragile in body & bore her cross with a cheerful serenity which touched us deeply
Ah how different from such a departure is the equally sudden, but far sadder one, of young Mrs Frank Brooks, good & beautiful & full of the enjoyment of life, but a year married & with the prospect of many happy ones before her. But all is well. For her we cannot hall the removal a loss, but for her husband, & mother, & sisters & many friends what a mournful change! Her illness was very slight - & she died in her sleep – from congestion of the brain I believe, no one imagining her in any danger. How many deaths of young [p. 3] people lately. It reminds me of Uhland’s ballad where the grim Reaper says – “In the Spring time I gather [crossed out: flowers] roses” - Few enough flowers shall we gather apparently this year. What a snow-storm is howling about us to day, like those I remember in my childhood, drifting high over doors & windows & keeping all prisoners in doors. Poor Henry, however, has had to battle thro’ it to College, for that old mill must still work on, no matter what storms block up the ways, or sorrows encumber the hearts of the workmen.
He was cheered yesterday by pleasant letters from England – from people he has cheered – from the Costello with such exclamations as “How well you understand me!” &c all which I enjoy as much as he does - & from other damsels there. He is truly favored by women because he does understand & reverence them peculiarly, & has just that tenderness and sympathy in his own nature which sounds the depths of theirs. Most men have a chivalric enthusiasm about wo [p. 4] men, if they have any, but he, tho’ I say it, has that tender sympathy, far less common which all feel like magnetism. You know I think aloud to you, & I say this with pride & joy, - & holiest gratitude for my most abundant share of it.
My father is, I hope, by this time with Mary – far removed from these wintry winds. What a pleasant surprise it will be to her & to show off her dominions to him & Jewett. Tom thinks of going to the Tremont, & has not yet spoken of any further plans. Much motion does not agree with his nervous condition. Even to come out here is a fatigue to him. We have re-engaged our last summer’s quarters at Nahant for the vacation – my landlady coming here to press me to a decision as she had other applicants & paid us the compliment of preferring us. The children are well, but little Alice begins to feel teething troubles. I think she is growing a beauty – so full of vigor and life, so plump & round & rosy. She dances & sings all day long, & has the devoted homage of all the household. A baby is a true Queen of most willing subjects. Erny says he is to be an artist, & I half believe it he is so absorbed [p. 1 cross] in drawing, scorning to copy, except from still life, giving the chairs & clocks a most Ruskin-like picturesqueness of attire & shading. Good bye darling. I trust all is well with you & yours – with love to Wm ever thy affte
Fanny E.L.
The Nortons have heard of the safe arrival of their treasures after a short & pleasant passage.

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; people; document; subject; family life; social life; events; death; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1851 (1011/002.001-021); (LONG-FileUnitName)