File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Mary (Appleton) Mackintosh, 5 May 1852 (59f90b84-bc65-4f73-b564-a25dfe9f0acb).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-022#011

Cambridge May 5th 1852.
Dear Mary,
We were delighted to hear that your purpose of coming here still holds good, but think you were wise to postpone it a month for we have had so severe a winter (& are still buried in snow & ice) that the early Spring would chill you after your milder climate. It has been a savage winter all over the country, but, except the influenza, we have none of us suffered from it & the children have been remarkably well. In fact the thawy days are those in which they are most exposed. They are charmed with the prospect of having Angus & Eva for playmates & this summer, I, too, long to see the dear children. I am sorry not to have a glimpse [p. 2] of Ronny, but think you are prudent not to bring him. You have never written what school he will go to, and under whose care, and all the other particulars I hope to hear now from yourself. It must be a severe trial to you to send him so far away, but if you intend to rejoin him before long it will not be so difficult, & he has many kind friends in England to comfort & cheer him.
What think you of Lord John’s resignation in these eventful times? Will England too distrust the people (who are only dangerous when treated unfairly) & try to grow backward like the Continent? I cannot think it. The love of Reform is too deeply rooted & has too vigorous a growth there. Louis Napoleon seems to be growing unpopular even among his own adherents, & now their panic is [p. 3] over their respect for him will diminish. But no one can prophecy what will happen – all is shrouded in mystery.
I wrote you, in my last, that we thought of going to Newport in the vacation (from the middle of July till September) and would much like to know whether that or Nahant you would prefer, if inclined for either. Cambridge is too hot in midsummer & I think you would find Pittsfield so too. We have as yet decided nothing – and hope to hear by next steamer your inclinations.
Henry had lately a very charming note from Laura Bridgman about Evangeline – her teacher having actually read to her, but the fingers, the whole poem. She says – “Evangeline is one of Christ’s very dear sisters. I should like to meet her with my soul when I go to Heaven.”
[p 4] We have a very good Opera here now & we have been several times. With Maria the other night to hear “I Puritani” in which the Liberty song was sung with great enthusiasm, the Italian & American flags waved together. A Captain Spicer (cousin of Lord Elgins) dined with us lately having made a pilgrimage of admiration to Henry. He is an author himself. Margaret Fuller Ossoli’s Life, by Emerson & others, is out – a curious but very interesting book, proving her to have had a nobler nature than we supposed. Who has not when you come to know them intimately? I hoped to hear of Mrs Rich’s travels & am sorry you have no news.
Lizzie Prescott is to be married this month. The younger Lawrence is thought to be engaged to Hatty Paige. Emmeline writes me that Murray will visit them in June I wrote to you I think of Jenny Lind’s marriage at Mrs Sam Ward’s house, in Boston very privately taking all by surprise. Her spouse is a very amiable youth of excellent character. Much love to Robert - & many kisses to the children. Henry’s love. ever yr aff
Fanny E. L.

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