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Charles Sumner to Ernest Longfellow, 13 December 1858
Manuscript letter
Montpellier. France.
13th Dec ‘58
My dear little Erny,
For a long time I have been your debtor. But I trust that your goodness has pardoned my seeming negligence.
I trust that this letter will reach you on the 1st January. At all events, whether it arrives sooner or later, it wishes you a Happy New Year. May the [p. 2] coming year be better for you in all respects than the last! And with proper effort it can be so. When I return my pleasure will be increased if I find you improved in knowledge & character, according to your years.
Look on the map of France, & you will find the beautiful place where I now am, - far towards the South & near the Mediterranean. The climate here is delightful. Snow comes only once or twice in ten years, so that the [p. 3] inhabitants here hardly know what it is. Of course, the boys have no opportunity to coast or skate.
I do not observe the children of respectable families playing in the streets, nor are they allowed to walk out unless attended by their teachers or parents. The boys at school all wear a uniform, consisting of blue trousers, blue frock coat buttoned up to the neck & trimmed with red- & a small blue cap trimmed with red. In this uniform I often meet a whole school, [p. 4] walking in procession two & two, attended by their teachers & going, perhaps, a short distance into the country for exercise and amusement. I often stop to look at these boys, & wonder if our boys at home would be content under this rigid system.
I hope Charley is well & happy. Give my love to him and to Mamma & Papa, & also a kiss to the little ones. Remember me also most kindly to Uncle Tom, & believe me, dear Erny
Affectionately Yours
Charles Sumner
Envelope-
Ernest Longfellow care of H. W. Longfellow Esq
Cambridge Mass
Aux Etats unis d’Amérique
En Angleterre
13th Dec ‘58
My dear little Erny,
For a long time I have been your debtor. But I trust that your goodness has pardoned my seeming negligence.
I trust that this letter will reach you on the 1st January. At all events, whether it arrives sooner or later, it wishes you a Happy New Year. May the [p. 2] coming year be better for you in all respects than the last! And with proper effort it can be so. When I return my pleasure will be increased if I find you improved in knowledge & character, according to your years.
Look on the map of France, & you will find the beautiful place where I now am, - far towards the South & near the Mediterranean. The climate here is delightful. Snow comes only once or twice in ten years, so that the [p. 3] inhabitants here hardly know what it is. Of course, the boys have no opportunity to coast or skate.
I do not observe the children of respectable families playing in the streets, nor are they allowed to walk out unless attended by their teachers or parents. The boys at school all wear a uniform, consisting of blue trousers, blue frock coat buttoned up to the neck & trimmed with red- & a small blue cap trimmed with red. In this uniform I often meet a whole school, [p. 4] walking in procession two & two, attended by their teachers & going, perhaps, a short distance into the country for exercise and amusement. I often stop to look at these boys, & wonder if our boys at home would be content under this rigid system.
I hope Charley is well & happy. Give my love to him and to Mamma & Papa, & also a kiss to the little ones. Remember me also most kindly to Uncle Tom, & believe me, dear Erny
Affectionately Yours
Charles Sumner
Envelope-
Ernest Longfellow care of H. W. Longfellow Esq
Cambridge Mass
Aux Etats unis d’Amérique
En Angleterre
Archives Number: 1002/9.3-159#018
U. S. National Park Service
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Courtesy of National Park Service, Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site; Archives Number 1002/9.3-159#018
Public domain
Collected Materials (1002/009), (LONG-SeriesName)
, Miscellaneous Famous People (1002/009.003), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, Sumner, Charles (1811-1874) Papers, 1837-1870 (1002/009.003-159), (LONG-FileUnitName)
, Miscellaneous Famous People (1002/009.003), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, Sumner, Charles (1811-1874) Papers, 1837-1870 (1002/009.003-159), (LONG-FileUnitName)
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Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, Code: LONG
Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Latitude: 42.3769989013672, Longitude: -71.1264038085938
Latitude: 42.3769989013672, Longitude: -71.1264038085938
Title: Finding Aid to the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Dana (1881-1950) Papers, 1744-1972 (bulk dated: 1850-1950)
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#HWLD
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#HWLD
2022/12/20
12/13/1858
Manuscript letter in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Dana Papers, Series IX. Collected Materials, C. Miscellaneous Famous People. (1002/9.3-159#018)
Public Can View
Organization: Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
Address: 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: LONG_archives@nps.gov
Address: 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: LONG_archives@nps.gov
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 11:22:37 PM
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 11:22:37 PM
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