File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Isaac Appleton Jewett, 10 August 1847 (af897416-6a77-4d50-a980-e0b673d5e4e9).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-017#022

Oak Grove near Portland.
August 10th 1847.
Dear Jewett.
Your very superior letter from the lakes was most welcome, & accept my warmest thanks for it. I always enjoy seeing your hobby-for-the-time show his paces with a free rein, & I can generally, I flatter myself, follow him & keep him in sight for a longer distance than those unused to such equestrian exercises themselves
You must have truly undergone a change from N. Orleans life of compact, filigree finish to the raw material at Macinac, & must have much refreshed your spirit by the contrast. I am very glad those lakes are so impressive, & are really eyes upon the face of the country, not mere spectacles as I have sometimes fancied them, expressionless & tame, unworthy the grandeur of their size in all other characteristics. As you have [p. 2] become such “a fishified monster” as you describe yourself you may like to hear of our sea-change. For five weeks we have been preserving ourselves from our destructive climate by such seasoning as salt air, combined with salt bathing, can effect, upon a spur of Casco Bay surrounded by the sea, & crowned by a grove of oaks swept by shadows, briny breezes, petticoats from swings all day long, & ever musical with laughter & the songs of birds. Presumpscot River forms a bay inland, like a lovely lake with its mountain shore, & fair open meadows give a soft foreground to this rocky promontory. Innumerable islands break up the ocean view, but the gate to another world, ever crowded with snowy sails like winged angels is open before us-; all Portland on our right. It is a charming spot, & we have much enjoyed our vacation here [p. 3] This is alas the last week of it, but if this reaches you in time can you not be tempted to join us for a day or two, & tell us face to face more of your strange experiences. We had an original at our table d’hôte last week from Tennessee, who, the first day, with Scandinavian, child-like enthusiasm was for buying Renés island opposite (so named from a French juggler who bought it from two old women, who felt very nearly as remorseful as if they had sold it, themselves too, to the evil one) & in a week’s time was hurrying off because he could get no bacon fit for a Western appetite! Droll specimens appear & vanish – Damsels of greatest elegance of dress & as merry as Punch all the week, who demurely, every Saturday night, with all the Hotel company, our excellent landlord at the head, sing psalm tunes after the true New England fashion with most sonorous [p. 4] chorus. If Carlyle marveled at the prayer-prefaced business of the Puritans what would he say to this still lingering drop of piety in the giddy maelstrom of American summer life. But this is a quiet, nice watering-place, not known enough to be fashionable & noisy, but very attractive in many respects.
We heard lately from St Kitts. The Governor & family had arrived after a 6 weeks pleasant passage, & were much pleased with every thing. The climate was not uncomfortable & the society was promising. Noble mountains rose before their windows, & tropical fruits enriched their garden, the negros called her ‘your Excellency,’ & very pretty state it must be to hold. Tom promises to come here again this week, so if you will come too you shall be allowed to be as lazy as you like, & not be persecuted by those fearful catechisings [sic] you put into my mouth.
I have no time for a larger sheet just now with 3 babies to look after! so fare well with Henry’s kind remembrance & Mrs Greenleaf’s who is also here. Yrs truly
Fanny L.

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