File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Mary (Longfellow) Greenleaf, 22 November 1847 (94f4a9c7-86ee-40cc-9a00-875bec611f36).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-017#029

Cambridge Nov 22nd 1847.
Dear Mary
I need not tell you how painful has been our anxiety the last week about poor James, & how comforted we were by the last telegraphic tidings. How much we have all felt for you through your sad and weary watching, which so many would gladly have shared, - & how earnestly we trust your strength will not give way after the necessity for exertion is over. I longed for the moment to be free to fly to you & lighten your cares, for I know from former experien [p. 2] ce how lonely a thing it is to watch over an invalid in a strange land, altho’ I have never been called to do it so alone as you have been.
We fervently pray James may have no relapse, & will speedily gain all he has lost. It was fortunate you had some human beings to speak to you had seen before, & I suppose you will not hasten away from Richmond until you are both able to bear the long fatiguing journey with your usual courage
What a blessed invention is the telegraph for such emergencies. It was like being [p. 3] within reach of your voices to get such an immediate reply to the anxious enquiry, annihilating space & time, those obstacles so hard for the impatient spirit to bear, which demands for its affections the faculties of a higher state of being which this invention seems almost to endow us with for the time
Alex & Sam leave us today for Portland, & Henry will join them there on Wednesday to celebrate Thanksgiving, which will truly become one in James’ recovery
The children are well & merry as birds, & I believe there is no especial news [p. 4] but Mr Horace Gray’s failure, which is a sad thing to be sure.
Hoping soon to hear from you; with much love from Henry, & many kisses to “Aunt Mamy” & “Uncle James from the rosy little mouths,
ever lovingly yours
Fanny L.
Tomorrow is Erny’s second birthday –
ADDRESSED, ENVELOPE: MRS JAMES GREENLEAF / RICHMOND / VIRGINIA.
POSTMARK: [ILLEGIBLE]
STAMPED AND WRITTEN: PAID

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; people; document; subject; health and illness; family life; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1847 (1011/002.001-017); (LONG-FileUnitName)