Файл:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Reverend Samuel Longfellow, 22 February 1854 (e078d862-c776-489f-b12e-9ac764a649a7).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-024#002

Cambridge. Feb 22d 1854.
Dear Sam,
As you were otherwise engaged today we have postponed the christening – wishing so much to have you, if possible, to consecrate one of our children. Can you tell when you may be able to get an exchange & come for I should like to have it done before a great while, altho’ we have not yet decided on a name. Next Monday is Henry’s birthday, as good as Washington’s in my eyes, - so if you could come then it would be well, but I do not wish to force you at this severe season to come against [p. 2] your inclination so far.
This is a splendidly fair day for your brides, but with you there is I see more snow. We have none to speak of.
I am reading Lorenzo Benoni which is a very interesting history of an Italian life in these days. It was lent me by a bride near us – Mrs Little – Miss Wheaton that was, & Mazzini figures in it.
We are all greatly excited about the dreadful Nebraska wickedness & Henry has gone down to the Reading Room to try to find some report of Sumner's speech. I hope it will be pungent, for I know his heart is full. He writes us that it has made him almost ill. The Whigs pretend indignation – but I fear it will be [p. 3] of the most luke-warm kind. Think of Mr E. taking up that miserable subterfuge of Mr Websters about sail, climate &c and hiding behind his own grave to escape the battle. Still I am glad the Whigs are to have a Faneuil Hall meeting separate from the Free Soilers, because it will show the amount of antislavery feeling at the North of all shades. I should have liked to hear Beecher but knew there would be no room & I have not been out in the evening. Even Mr Newell was quite warmed up last Sunday about ‘this virgin territory’. Henry went to hear Theodore Parker with Tom & Bayard Taylor & Lowell, who all dined here afterward, but he did not stay for the peroration. War, Slavery, Pestilence, & Famine seem to threaten the poor weary Earth. I wish she had four as potent cham- [p. 4] pions – but what do I say – ‘a million blessed angels lackey her’ & there is no fear she will long be surrendered to the power of her enemies.
Henry, as you have doubtless heard, is weary after 25 years teaching, and has decided to resigned his Professorship – to have time for other things & to feel free, but he will remain in the harness until the summer vacation. Sam Eliot & Motley & Curtis I believe are thought of, & some others would like it (Hurlburt among them) but I know not who they will chose. Dont mention these names please, for it may not be well.
Poor old Mr Sales has departed – Henry went to see him the day before he died, & the good old man bade him farewell & kissed him. His venerable figure will be long missed, & his type of the cheerful, courteous Frenchman is fast disappearing from the earth. I have been reading “The lost Prince [p. 1 cross] & think the proofs pretty strong in fact am quite a believer. My sister is rather depressed about the war & the cholera in the W.I. & sending Ronny away to Rugby – but her niece Miss Erskine has been married with pomp & rejoicing – 12 bridesmaids & Sir Robert Inglis to give away the bride &c, a pleasant feature of it being a ball to the servants making them partakers in the general joy. Hoping to see you soon
Yrs affly
Fanny E.L
The baby is a great beauty & must have a nice name Do not mind what I say about Monday, any time in a month or two will do as well.

• Keywords: correspondence; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; people; document; subject; education; family life; social life; henry wadsworth longfellow; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1854 (1011/002.001-024); (LONG-FileUnitName)