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Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Susan (Benjamin) Stackpole, October 20, 1834
Manuscript letter
Boston. Oct 20th 1834. –
Many thanks, dear Sue, for thinking of me on the 6th, tho’, I sppose, you were unconscious of the important era, in my life, which it commemorated. “Sweet seventeen” as, you know, generally, quite an interesting period to young damsels, tho’, for my part, I am very indifferent to particular ‘times & seasons,’ inasmuch as they usually mark but the progress of Time upon the outward facility & are not always welcome monitors. But I learnt to moralize before I was seventeen & therefore begin to think it wiser to abjure, now, all such tottering theories & try to recover a little of the freshness & “happy ignorance” of younger days. You see how foolish I have already become, “exposing” myself to you, who deservedly detest such nonsense. On the strength of my being somewhere in the neighbourhood of 17 I have been dragged ‘nolens volens’ lately into “considerable much” dissipation & am now ‘resting on my oars’ a little for a fresh ‘tug.’ The ‘Tremont’ has been receiving & turning away its thousands, as usual, this Autumn, &, consequently, gaiety has flowed along in an unbroken stream. I think these little parties at this season are charming; so easy & sociable, - & then such a relief to see so many [p. 2] new physiognomies & quaint costumes & droll peculiarities. There has been a constant succession of strangers from all quarters of the globe, & some very agreeable. I like so much to extend your acquaintance a little out of your own narrow sphere – it seems to give you an interest in distant places, which you might never otherwise have felt, & also to extend your own importance, it being pleasant to reflect that you are known somewhere beyond Boston Common. I am so sorry that you have not been here to enjoy some of this; - however we will have some good fun together this winter, to make amends. I “calculate” on a very merry season for divers reasons. There are to be [crossed out: an] innumerable weddings, which must bring many parties in their train. – then, such unusual attraction at the Theâtre, & to us by no means ‘least’ the arrival of my brother who will give us all a new life. Sheridan Knowles is acting here now, & pray hasten home if you have any curiosity to see a plump, jolly, Irishman with a fine, rich brogue a most merry phiz & a hearty, good nature about him which breathes of his own Emerald Isle – its potatoes & whiskey! I saw him in the “Hunchback” & of course took a double interest in his acting tho’ I must say it destroyed much of the romance associated with both [crossed out: of] the character & Author. He is very natural & earnest in his acting & I should think might succeed better in Comedy. Mrs Barrett gave me a new interest in the character of Julia [crossed out: by her] I had an idea she could succeed so wonderfully well in tragic parts. I have never seen Fanny Kemble in the part but it is said Mrs B. was very like; - her voice particularly. I have just finished “Mrs Siddons’ life’. [p. 3] & have been much entertained by it. I have always had the greatest curiosity to know her history, & had no idea, before, of her high moral character. What a royal creature she must have been! I think the portrait of her in the beginning of the book is more like Fanny Kemble than any of her own. Have you read Mrs Jameson’s sketch of her? it was in some of the papers. It is very flattering but I think perfectly true, &, I am sure, your friend Mary Wayne would never accuse me of undervaluing her, if she knew how much I admire her. I dont [sic] think she is at all understood by the world, generally. It is said, Miss Phillips is much superior to her on the stage; - it may be – but everyone confesses she is by no means such an interesting actress. I have seen nothing of your sister Mary, of late, except a hasty glimpse the other night when she honored our mansion with her presence, at a little party which was as stupid as such things always are in your own house. She spoke of going somewhere, I did no understand exactly, but I suppose to you, since you say you expect her. How many “Sins” are prowling about our defenceless Country “taking in” the simple inhabitants most voraciously! It was reputed for some time that the azure Miss Martineau had actually alighted upon our humble City unawares, & that consequently ear-trumpets were greatly in vogue & the value risen amazingly. But as no farther traces of her presence were discovered she has been allowed to travel peaceably on her way to Niagara & we patiently await the time when she will honor us, & scrutinize us with her economizing eye. The poor Prince whose interesting travels I have most perseveringly dispatched this summer, (without skipping (!) has also been “hauled over [p. 4] the coals” & accused of all sorts of disguises & incog’s when I verily believe the poor man has not yet reached ‘terra firma’ for which, he would probably now give all his Princedom, & whiskers into the bargain! We have at present two distinguished youths here – English Officers – one, the ‘youngest son’ of the Earl of Westmoreland – very like a ‘sculpin’ (if you know what that is) & the other the nephew of Lord Byron with whom I had the honor of dancing the other night – He seems to inherit neither the talents or good looks of his uncle - & plenty of the conceit, which even the relationship to so great a poet does not make very endurable. All the ‘affianced ones’ of the last year are to wind up their accounts this winter & settle in some spot or other. They have commenced operation already & some have begun an humble destiny. Miss Harriett Russell has departed to solace the hours of a country lawyer, in Greenfield, & her sisters will, I suppose, soon “follow suit.” Mrs Newton has arrived! and in good spirits too; it is said, tho’ she must affect them before her family. What a change in her destiny since she left her home, in triumph! ….. What means this horrible noise of cannon: how, our stupid people do welcome any excuse to get up a racket! The Common is fast falling into the ‘bare & yellow leaf’ & looks drooping enough, tho’ it has preserved its green turf wonderfully. Only think of your not being here to bid good bye to the “swate little paddy” who gave us the last glimpse of his “bonny blue len” [crossed out: as he] for many a day, as he was to sail directly to Italy for a 3 yrs musical education. I will not bore you with any crossings of my uneven track, for I am very tired & I am sure you cant [sic] be indulgent much longer. Addio – Yr faithful Fanny.
Many thanks, dear Sue, for thinking of me on the 6th, tho’, I sppose, you were unconscious of the important era, in my life, which it commemorated. “Sweet seventeen” as, you know, generally, quite an interesting period to young damsels, tho’, for my part, I am very indifferent to particular ‘times & seasons,’ inasmuch as they usually mark but the progress of Time upon the outward facility & are not always welcome monitors. But I learnt to moralize before I was seventeen & therefore begin to think it wiser to abjure, now, all such tottering theories & try to recover a little of the freshness & “happy ignorance” of younger days. You see how foolish I have already become, “exposing” myself to you, who deservedly detest such nonsense. On the strength of my being somewhere in the neighbourhood of 17 I have been dragged ‘nolens volens’ lately into “considerable much” dissipation & am now ‘resting on my oars’ a little for a fresh ‘tug.’ The ‘Tremont’ has been receiving & turning away its thousands, as usual, this Autumn, &, consequently, gaiety has flowed along in an unbroken stream. I think these little parties at this season are charming; so easy & sociable, - & then such a relief to see so many [p. 2] new physiognomies & quaint costumes & droll peculiarities. There has been a constant succession of strangers from all quarters of the globe, & some very agreeable. I like so much to extend your acquaintance a little out of your own narrow sphere – it seems to give you an interest in distant places, which you might never otherwise have felt, & also to extend your own importance, it being pleasant to reflect that you are known somewhere beyond Boston Common. I am so sorry that you have not been here to enjoy some of this; - however we will have some good fun together this winter, to make amends. I “calculate” on a very merry season for divers reasons. There are to be [crossed out: an] innumerable weddings, which must bring many parties in their train. – then, such unusual attraction at the Theâtre, & to us by no means ‘least’ the arrival of my brother who will give us all a new life. Sheridan Knowles is acting here now, & pray hasten home if you have any curiosity to see a plump, jolly, Irishman with a fine, rich brogue a most merry phiz & a hearty, good nature about him which breathes of his own Emerald Isle – its potatoes & whiskey! I saw him in the “Hunchback” & of course took a double interest in his acting tho’ I must say it destroyed much of the romance associated with both [crossed out: of] the character & Author. He is very natural & earnest in his acting & I should think might succeed better in Comedy. Mrs Barrett gave me a new interest in the character of Julia [crossed out: by her] I had an idea she could succeed so wonderfully well in tragic parts. I have never seen Fanny Kemble in the part but it is said Mrs B. was very like; - her voice particularly. I have just finished “Mrs Siddons’ life’. [p. 3] & have been much entertained by it. I have always had the greatest curiosity to know her history, & had no idea, before, of her high moral character. What a royal creature she must have been! I think the portrait of her in the beginning of the book is more like Fanny Kemble than any of her own. Have you read Mrs Jameson’s sketch of her? it was in some of the papers. It is very flattering but I think perfectly true, &, I am sure, your friend Mary Wayne would never accuse me of undervaluing her, if she knew how much I admire her. I dont [sic] think she is at all understood by the world, generally. It is said, Miss Phillips is much superior to her on the stage; - it may be – but everyone confesses she is by no means such an interesting actress. I have seen nothing of your sister Mary, of late, except a hasty glimpse the other night when she honored our mansion with her presence, at a little party which was as stupid as such things always are in your own house. She spoke of going somewhere, I did no understand exactly, but I suppose to you, since you say you expect her. How many “Sins” are prowling about our defenceless Country “taking in” the simple inhabitants most voraciously! It was reputed for some time that the azure Miss Martineau had actually alighted upon our humble City unawares, & that consequently ear-trumpets were greatly in vogue & the value risen amazingly. But as no farther traces of her presence were discovered she has been allowed to travel peaceably on her way to Niagara & we patiently await the time when she will honor us, & scrutinize us with her economizing eye. The poor Prince whose interesting travels I have most perseveringly dispatched this summer, (without skipping (!) has also been “hauled over [p. 4] the coals” & accused of all sorts of disguises & incog’s when I verily believe the poor man has not yet reached ‘terra firma’ for which, he would probably now give all his Princedom, & whiskers into the bargain! We have at present two distinguished youths here – English Officers – one, the ‘youngest son’ of the Earl of Westmoreland – very like a ‘sculpin’ (if you know what that is) & the other the nephew of Lord Byron with whom I had the honor of dancing the other night – He seems to inherit neither the talents or good looks of his uncle - & plenty of the conceit, which even the relationship to so great a poet does not make very endurable. All the ‘affianced ones’ of the last year are to wind up their accounts this winter & settle in some spot or other. They have commenced operation already & some have begun an humble destiny. Miss Harriett Russell has departed to solace the hours of a country lawyer, in Greenfield, & her sisters will, I suppose, soon “follow suit.” Mrs Newton has arrived! and in good spirits too; it is said, tho’ she must affect them before her family. What a change in her destiny since she left her home, in triumph! ….. What means this horrible noise of cannon: how, our stupid people do welcome any excuse to get up a racket! The Common is fast falling into the ‘bare & yellow leaf’ & looks drooping enough, tho’ it has preserved its green turf wonderfully. Only think of your not being here to bid good bye to the “swate little paddy” who gave us the last glimpse of his “bonny blue len” [crossed out: as he] for many a day, as he was to sail directly to Italy for a 3 yrs musical education. I will not bore you with any crossings of my uneven track, for I am very tired & I am sure you cant [sic] be indulgent much longer. Addio – Yr faithful Fanny.
Archives Number: 1011/002.001-004#003
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Correspondence (1011/002), (LONG-SeriesName)
, Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, 1834 (1011/002.001-004), (LONG-FileUnitName)
, Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, 1834 (1011/002.001-004), (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 Number Catalog : 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
2016/01/30
10/20/1834
Manuscript letter in Frances Appleton Longfellow Papers, Series II. Correspondence, A. Outgoing, 1834. (1011/002.001-004#003)
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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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