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Caroline Frances Appleton to Fanny Appleton, 29-30 December 1835
Manuscript letter
[page 1, right]
Boston December 29th 1835
Dearest Fanny,
Three several times have I attempted to write to you, but have been prevented by my wise brother, who what on advising me to write for this and that packet, but I am now determined to wait no longer, for I am afraid lest you should seize my neglect as an excuse for your doing the same. I must unless that little has occurred since your departure to fill up a letter and I am afraid that little has already been communicate[paper edge is folded or missing] to you by earlier correspondents [sic]. But I must do my best and whatever is wanting in [??ality?] , I suppose imagination must supply. Winter has at last set in and with no very gentle wantning, we have had some very intense weather, but [we?] in hopes that is over, I suppose Aunt Sam, has told you of [our?] sufferer by the [frost?], happy for my sisibile [sic] muscles I did not see him till he had got a new skin.
But winter has not brought much gaiety with ^it there are but few parties -- Mrs. J Boyant’s wedding was quite a brilliant affair, the party, which by the way I enlightened with my presence, was very pleasant I was dissappointed [sic] in the bride, she is a little stiff silent thing, wholly devoid of annimation, [sic] and almost lost in the superabundance of blonde flying around her. The happy bridgegroom, looked any thing but happy; had the pleasure of seeing Miss Martineau, I cannot say she is beautiful, but she appeared very animated and agreeable - I believe this is the only party of any note that has occurred, we had another invitation for Mrs. W. [Varel?], and understood it was to be quite a brilliant affair, but alas! it was not an invitation, next day the invute was countermanded the comf[? paper is missing] would not come!! We have had no theatre [scape?] [page 2] of late, we want to feat the Woods, and lo! when we got there Mrs. W was sick and no opera -- and will you credit it when I tell you we remained and saw three farces! I never desire to see another, that evening was enough to silence any one of common theatregoing. We have a few [bins?] at present in town, in the persons of the Mr Lathrope [Mitly] and Mr Lewis Stackpole. I have not had the honour of seeing the former, but met the latter at Mrs. Amory’s Christamas night, I went with the idea of seeing a nonesuch - so handsome, so elegant, so different from the rest of the Boston beaux -- oh! nobody was to be compared to Mr. Stackpole! I saw him -- and I am sure had they not told me he was something extraordinary I never should have found it out, he was very tall, so are many of my acquaintances, and one in particular of yours, he was certainly the best looking man in the room, but I should not have connected that a very great compliment, as there were [crossed out: not] none actually Adonis’s in the only strange thing is that all attracted my notice were wiry ringlet one each side of a well oiled head, and his peculiar manner of making a bow! so my dear that is my description of one of the [hims?], I have not seen the other but hear he is as splendid as this one.! Pray tell me if these sort of animals are common -- in your part of the world. We have a Miss Allsup quite a belle at present a neice [sic] of Mr Oliver, the gentlemen are all enchanted with her, only two objections are started (you know there must be a a but in all cases or the world must no longer be the world) the first is I believe she is not quite so [?] as some of her rivals, and - the men [??key?] say she cares not [?]” I hope you will understand this last fault better than I do, I only tell you as it was told me. [??ston?] picture has arrived at Aunt S’s at last, it is lovely, a beautiful, but I believe I am as much in love with the verses that accompany it as the figure -- So as to give you the latest I indeed to journalize this letter, therefore I shall break off here as not much is stirring.
Dec 30th.
Last evening spent the evening at Aunt Sam’s, had a delightful time, there were about forty people present, including Mr. [paper missing][hope?] [Motly?] [page 3] he seems to have the [lamp?] of self esteem fully develloped [sic], we had some flourishing playing from Miss L. Aspinwall, on the [?] and two beautiful walzes [sic] from Fanny [Inglis?], the walze’s [sic] were composed by Mr Parish, and dedicated to Miss Fanny, and presented to her as a birthday gift - they are very beautiful: then rest of the evening we danced, waltzed and frolicked till after eleven (went by the by at 7’oclick!) but you will never believe what I am going to relate -- you know I never waltze [sic] but with ladies who do you suppose I honoured last evening, now pray dont be jealous H...Mier Esq. ‘! here I thought of you as I was whirling around! how he ever persuaded Mother to let me I do not know, but he did. Talking of this personage I have a capital story to tell about him and I suppose it might as well come in here as any where, but remember all this page is “sub rosa” -- on a certain evening ever to be remembered in the records of modern chivalry, Mr H.H.M. & S.A. Appleton, were proceeding together to the lodgings of the former, engaged very much with the appearance [paper missing] two ladies walking before them, when the most interesting of the [d?][paper missing] unfortunately fell on the ice (it was a very slippery night) the two he[paper missing] instantly rushed forward, and assisted the distressed fair one to [ride?][paper missing] imagine the most anxious enquiries as to the hurt she had received, and the most profuse politeness; they were most eager to get a glimpse of the countenance of the lady, but as it was a very [cloudy?] night, they saw no likelyhood [sic] of have their curiosity satisfied, when the lady suddenly turned to thank her gallant squires, the light of a lamp fell full on her uplifted face & disclosed - a negro!! I leave you to comment upon this adventure as you may. Did you ever hear the song “Lubly Rosa Sambo come” &c? Marrisa spent Thanksgiving here, and we had a fine opportunity to see her and her adorere, it afforded us no little amusement I assure you -- I think there is no doubt but that she will finally accept thim, tho’ I am sure she does not care for him, but what will not ambition do? _ We think some of going to hear “La Sonabula” tonight, I am anxiously viewing the foggy day, every body is quite charmed with the opera that has seen it_ am dying to see it!_ I am quite [ashamed?] in the way of gaiety at present_ New Years day (by the way a happy New Year & Christmas to you all) I go to the Sullivans, and
[page 3] [vertical text that overlaps first part’s horizontal text - TBD whether this logically appears to follow from the bottom of page 2 or the “bottom fold” of the “envelope”]
letters be [Jullie?] I invite with some [service?] nevertheless I hope you will glean some news from this_ o wishing you every enjoyment and no disappointment I will now close, begging you to remember me to all_
Your most affectionate Cousin
Caroline__[page 4]I [well?] Might to Aunt William’s - But ^what is this to the pleasures you are enjoying, I hope your expectations have not deceived you. I have often wished I had a little magical mirror in which I [could?] trace you visibly thro’ your wanderings. I am happy to inform you that no deaths have occurred [strikethrough] in consequence of your departure I am endeavoring to be as fascinating as possible but I am against th [crossed out: e absence of] remembrance of absent friends, is as yet two [fredh?]! --
Jan 9th Since writing the above I have seen the ‘Somnabula” am perfectly bewitched with it, the music is plaintively beautiful, some people think too monotonous, I cannot agree with them. In spite of the law, the Woods give a concert to night, a thousand tickets sold before [1?] o’clock. I am not one of the thousand much to my sorrow! Still no news to communicate; the city is filled with nothing but music. Your picture attracted universal admiration at Aunt W’s on Twelf [sic] Night, by the way tell Cousin W he was very much missed that night in more ways than one. I hope the next epistle I send you to have more to [?], [paper corner folded over]night now [find?] more but as I promised your brother I would [let?] my
Caroline D 1835.
[stamped (rectangular border):] PASS [DOU??ems?] / PAR LE HAVRE
[stamped (circular):] MARITIME ???? / 9 FEVR 1836
[addressed:] Miss Frances E. Appleton / Care of S. Wells & Co. / Paris
(via Havre)
[left fold]
Received at Paris --
[stamp (circular)] [10 ? 18??]
[mia?]
[right fold]
[squiggle]
[wax seal]
[Mia?]
[top fold]
Boston December 29th 1835
Dearest Fanny,
Three several times have I attempted to write to you, but have been prevented by my wise brother, who what on advising me to write for this and that packet, but I am now determined to wait no longer, for I am afraid lest you should seize my neglect as an excuse for your doing the same. I must unless that little has occurred since your departure to fill up a letter and I am afraid that little has already been communicate[paper edge is folded or missing] to you by earlier correspondents [sic]. But I must do my best and whatever is wanting in [??ality?] , I suppose imagination must supply. Winter has at last set in and with no very gentle wantning, we have had some very intense weather, but [we?] in hopes that is over, I suppose Aunt Sam, has told you of [our?] sufferer by the [frost?], happy for my sisibile [sic] muscles I did not see him till he had got a new skin.
But winter has not brought much gaiety with ^it there are but few parties -- Mrs. J Boyant’s wedding was quite a brilliant affair, the party, which by the way I enlightened with my presence, was very pleasant I was dissappointed [sic] in the bride, she is a little stiff silent thing, wholly devoid of annimation, [sic] and almost lost in the superabundance of blonde flying around her. The happy bridgegroom, looked any thing but happy; had the pleasure of seeing Miss Martineau, I cannot say she is beautiful, but she appeared very animated and agreeable - I believe this is the only party of any note that has occurred, we had another invitation for Mrs. W. [Varel?], and understood it was to be quite a brilliant affair, but alas! it was not an invitation, next day the invute was countermanded the comf[? paper is missing] would not come!! We have had no theatre [scape?] [page 2] of late, we want to feat the Woods, and lo! when we got there Mrs. W was sick and no opera -- and will you credit it when I tell you we remained and saw three farces! I never desire to see another, that evening was enough to silence any one of common theatregoing. We have a few [bins?] at present in town, in the persons of the Mr Lathrope [Mitly] and Mr Lewis Stackpole. I have not had the honour of seeing the former, but met the latter at Mrs. Amory’s Christamas night, I went with the idea of seeing a nonesuch - so handsome, so elegant, so different from the rest of the Boston beaux -- oh! nobody was to be compared to Mr. Stackpole! I saw him -- and I am sure had they not told me he was something extraordinary I never should have found it out, he was very tall, so are many of my acquaintances, and one in particular of yours, he was certainly the best looking man in the room, but I should not have connected that a very great compliment, as there were [crossed out: not] none actually Adonis’s in the only strange thing is that all attracted my notice were wiry ringlet one each side of a well oiled head, and his peculiar manner of making a bow! so my dear that is my description of one of the [hims?], I have not seen the other but hear he is as splendid as this one.! Pray tell me if these sort of animals are common -- in your part of the world. We have a Miss Allsup quite a belle at present a neice [sic] of Mr Oliver, the gentlemen are all enchanted with her, only two objections are started (you know there must be a a but in all cases or the world must no longer be the world) the first is I believe she is not quite so [?] as some of her rivals, and - the men [??key?] say she cares not [?]” I hope you will understand this last fault better than I do, I only tell you as it was told me. [??ston?] picture has arrived at Aunt S’s at last, it is lovely, a beautiful, but I believe I am as much in love with the verses that accompany it as the figure -- So as to give you the latest I indeed to journalize this letter, therefore I shall break off here as not much is stirring.
Dec 30th.
Last evening spent the evening at Aunt Sam’s, had a delightful time, there were about forty people present, including Mr. [paper missing][hope?] [Motly?] [page 3] he seems to have the [lamp?] of self esteem fully develloped [sic], we had some flourishing playing from Miss L. Aspinwall, on the [?] and two beautiful walzes [sic] from Fanny [Inglis?], the walze’s [sic] were composed by Mr Parish, and dedicated to Miss Fanny, and presented to her as a birthday gift - they are very beautiful: then rest of the evening we danced, waltzed and frolicked till after eleven (went by the by at 7’oclick!) but you will never believe what I am going to relate -- you know I never waltze [sic] but with ladies who do you suppose I honoured last evening, now pray dont be jealous H...Mier Esq. ‘! here I thought of you as I was whirling around! how he ever persuaded Mother to let me I do not know, but he did. Talking of this personage I have a capital story to tell about him and I suppose it might as well come in here as any where, but remember all this page is “sub rosa” -- on a certain evening ever to be remembered in the records of modern chivalry, Mr H.H.M. & S.A. Appleton, were proceeding together to the lodgings of the former, engaged very much with the appearance [paper missing] two ladies walking before them, when the most interesting of the [d?][paper missing] unfortunately fell on the ice (it was a very slippery night) the two he[paper missing] instantly rushed forward, and assisted the distressed fair one to [ride?][paper missing] imagine the most anxious enquiries as to the hurt she had received, and the most profuse politeness; they were most eager to get a glimpse of the countenance of the lady, but as it was a very [cloudy?] night, they saw no likelyhood [sic] of have their curiosity satisfied, when the lady suddenly turned to thank her gallant squires, the light of a lamp fell full on her uplifted face & disclosed - a negro!! I leave you to comment upon this adventure as you may. Did you ever hear the song “Lubly Rosa Sambo come” &c? Marrisa spent Thanksgiving here, and we had a fine opportunity to see her and her adorere, it afforded us no little amusement I assure you -- I think there is no doubt but that she will finally accept thim, tho’ I am sure she does not care for him, but what will not ambition do? _ We think some of going to hear “La Sonabula” tonight, I am anxiously viewing the foggy day, every body is quite charmed with the opera that has seen it_ am dying to see it!_ I am quite [ashamed?] in the way of gaiety at present_ New Years day (by the way a happy New Year & Christmas to you all) I go to the Sullivans, and
[page 3] [vertical text that overlaps first part’s horizontal text - TBD whether this logically appears to follow from the bottom of page 2 or the “bottom fold” of the “envelope”]
letters be [Jullie?] I invite with some [service?] nevertheless I hope you will glean some news from this_ o wishing you every enjoyment and no disappointment I will now close, begging you to remember me to all_
Your most affectionate Cousin
Caroline__[page 4]I [well?] Might to Aunt William’s - But ^what is this to the pleasures you are enjoying, I hope your expectations have not deceived you. I have often wished I had a little magical mirror in which I [could?] trace you visibly thro’ your wanderings. I am happy to inform you that no deaths have occurred [strikethrough] in consequence of your departure I am endeavoring to be as fascinating as possible but I am against th [crossed out: e absence of] remembrance of absent friends, is as yet two [fredh?]! --
Jan 9th Since writing the above I have seen the ‘Somnabula” am perfectly bewitched with it, the music is plaintively beautiful, some people think too monotonous, I cannot agree with them. In spite of the law, the Woods give a concert to night, a thousand tickets sold before [1?] o’clock. I am not one of the thousand much to my sorrow! Still no news to communicate; the city is filled with nothing but music. Your picture attracted universal admiration at Aunt W’s on Twelf [sic] Night, by the way tell Cousin W he was very much missed that night in more ways than one. I hope the next epistle I send you to have more to [?], [paper corner folded over]night now [find?] more but as I promised your brother I would [let?] my
Caroline D 1835.
[stamped (rectangular border):] PASS [DOU??ems?] / PAR LE HAVRE
[stamped (circular):] MARITIME ???? / 9 FEVR 1836
[addressed:] Miss Frances E. Appleton / Care of S. Wells & Co. / Paris
(via Havre)
[left fold]
Received at Paris --
[stamp (circular)] [10 ? 18??]
[mia?]
[right fold]
[squiggle]
[wax seal]
[Mia?]
[top fold]
Archives Number: 1011/002.002-002#017
U. S. National Park Service
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Courtesy of National Park Service, Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site; Archives Number 1011/002.002-002#017
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Correspondence (1011/002), (LONG-SeriesName)
, Letters to Frances Longfellow (1011/002.002), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, J.W. Andrews - C.F. Appleton (1011/002.002-002), (LONG-FileUnitName)
, Letters to Frances Longfellow (1011/002.002), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, J.W. Andrews - C.F. Appleton (1011/002.002-002), (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
NPS Museum Catalog Number : LONG 20257
Title: Finding Aid to the Frances Elizabeth Appleton Longfellow (1817-1861) Papers, 1825-1961 (bulk dated: 1832-1861)
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#FEAL
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#FEAL
2019/05/29
12/29/1835
Manuscript letter in Frances Appleton Longfellow Papers, Series II. Correspondence, B. Incoming. (1011/002.002-002#017)
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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
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Wednesday, November 8, 2023 5:19:47 PM
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