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Peleg Wadsworth to Lucia Wadsworth, 10 January 1798
Manuscript letter
Philadelphia 10Jany1798
My Dear Lucia’s Letter dated 27th Decr is before me. I presume I need not say it is very agreeable to me.
The Exhibition of which you say you was only a Spectator would have been an agreeable amusement to me. I have no doubt for I am very fond of all Puerile Efforts for Improvements; but had I been present, I should have been better pleased if you had apart – I mean, I used to be much pleased with your performance, when it was proper for you to bear a part – at this time it may be most proper that you should be a spectator only – Thus you see my dear Daughter that you have already outlived One of the Amusements or employments of Life – how many then must your Papa have passed by! – still it (p. 2) is succeeded by another - & others still succeed.
In whatever grade you stand, “act well your part, there all the honor lies.” [1]
Do you dance any this winter? Or are you betwixt & between?
I think the Shipwreck you mentioned must be very distressing to the feelings of Sensibility, & the more so as they are come to your very Door, Objects at a distance ap-pear Small; but grow larger as they approach us. They are however view’d to the most ad-vantage nearby-
I wish I had something entertaining to amuse you with; but all my former themes are old. Balls, & theatres, & Levees, & Drawing Rooms & even Congress - Hall itself would Pall on a second Dis-cription – besides when Novelty is lost, how can One describe them? unless I could find your Curiosity awake; & then I don’t know what I might attempt. Tho I’m sure I’ve seen neither ball not Theatre this winter!
(p. 3) I have not been, because I would save all my Dollars to happify my Family at home. For, what it would cost me to amuse myself here alone for an eveng, would serve to make quite a Frollic[sic] for my whole family at home & myself happiness into the Bargain, by partaking with them.
This is a Dull Letter indeed. I have been in Hopes that my Nag by fit or by start, ^ or some other cause, break into a Canter, or at least a smart trot, but I find all urging in vain poor Pegasus will not quit a foot pace. & so good Night my Dear, I will try what a Knap will do. tis past 12 OClock at night, & my good old Chum Snores hard.
Thursday morng. 11 OClock
I have not yet found the Galley Slave but expect to soon. __________________________________________the Bell rings for a fire just in our neighborhood – Which prevents further writing at present – My Love attends your Mama & all the Family. Adieu. most affectionately
P Wadsworth
Miss Lucia
January 10th 1798
40
My Dear Lucia’s Letter dated 27th Decr is before me. I presume I need not say it is very agreeable to me.
The Exhibition of which you say you was only a Spectator would have been an agreeable amusement to me. I have no doubt for I am very fond of all Puerile Efforts for Improvements; but had I been present, I should have been better pleased if you had apart – I mean, I used to be much pleased with your performance, when it was proper for you to bear a part – at this time it may be most proper that you should be a spectator only – Thus you see my dear Daughter that you have already outlived One of the Amusements or employments of Life – how many then must your Papa have passed by! – still it (p. 2) is succeeded by another - & others still succeed.
In whatever grade you stand, “act well your part, there all the honor lies.” [1]
Do you dance any this winter? Or are you betwixt & between?
I think the Shipwreck you mentioned must be very distressing to the feelings of Sensibility, & the more so as they are come to your very Door, Objects at a distance ap-pear Small; but grow larger as they approach us. They are however view’d to the most ad-vantage nearby-
I wish I had something entertaining to amuse you with; but all my former themes are old. Balls, & theatres, & Levees, & Drawing Rooms & even Congress - Hall itself would Pall on a second Dis-cription – besides when Novelty is lost, how can One describe them? unless I could find your Curiosity awake; & then I don’t know what I might attempt. Tho I’m sure I’ve seen neither ball not Theatre this winter!
(p. 3) I have not been, because I would save all my Dollars to happify my Family at home. For, what it would cost me to amuse myself here alone for an eveng, would serve to make quite a Frollic[sic] for my whole family at home & myself happiness into the Bargain, by partaking with them.
This is a Dull Letter indeed. I have been in Hopes that my Nag by fit or by start, ^ or some other cause, break into a Canter, or at least a smart trot, but I find all urging in vain poor Pegasus will not quit a foot pace. & so good Night my Dear, I will try what a Knap will do. tis past 12 OClock at night, & my good old Chum Snores hard.
Thursday morng. 11 OClock
I have not yet found the Galley Slave but expect to soon. __________________________________________the Bell rings for a fire just in our neighborhood – Which prevents further writing at present – My Love attends your Mama & all the Family. Adieu. most affectionately
P Wadsworth
Miss Lucia
January 10th 1798
40
Archives Number: 1005/4.1.1-03#53
U. S. National Park Service
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Courtesy of National Park Service, Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site (1005/4.1.1-3#53)
Public domain
Peleg Wadsworth Papers (1005/004.001), (LONG-SeriesName)
, Correspondence - Outgoing (1005/004.001.001), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, Letterbook - 1794-1807 (1005/004.001.001-003), (LONG-FileUnitName)
, Correspondence - Outgoing (1005/004.001.001), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, Letterbook - 1794-1807 (1005/004.001.001-003), (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 27923
Title: Finding Aid to the Wadsworth-Longfellow Family (1610-1971) Papers, 1610-1971 (bulk dates 1745-1950)
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#WL
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#WL
2021/03/17
01/10/1798
Manuscript letter in the Wadsworth-Longfellow Family Papers, Peleg Wadsworth and Family Papers, Peleg Wadsworth Papers, Correspondence, Outgoing, Letterbook - 1794-1807. (1005/4.1.1-3#53)
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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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