File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Emmeline (Austin) Wadsworth, 20 August 1852 (bf88f54f-f209-4ae6-963f-05e7dba2d0cf).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-022#020

Newport. Aug 20th 1852.
Dear Emmeline,
I should not have allowed so many days to go by, since my last, without a word of love to you but I have been suffering, the last fortnight with rheumatism which made it very painful for me to move. It still lingers a little, but I hope is about departing tho’ in this moist climate, when once fixed, it is not so easily got rid of. I got excessively overheated in dressing after my first bath in the sea, & then driving home in a strong wind naturally presented me with this unwelcome guest. I have found great relief from Mr Benzer’s galvanic battery & shall try it again if necessary. Ever since that severe attack I had in Boston when [p. 2] you nursed me so kindly I have been subject to it when thus exposed. It was a comfort to me to receive your few lines. I fully appreciate the effort it must have been to write them, & shall not claim any more until you feel better rested mind & body from the heavy pressure of the last year. I was so glad to hear Mrs Ticknor had been with you. A friendly face & word from living lips to brighten the loneliness of sorrow & lead us gently out of ourselves – out of our individual cell into the general prison where all humanity suffers.
Is Murray already with you? We thought we saw his name in the paper.
Our house here is now quite filled up & likely to be overflowing. [p. 3] Julia Howe is a great acquisition. So full of spirits & every variety of talent – her wit rouses us all out of the languor this climate induces, & her singing (greatly improved in Italy) is a perpetual delight. We have now German music & Italian quite in perfection. She brought with her Mrs Freeman a lively lady half Italian & half English, married to an American artist, who has also appeared. Mr Frank Gray is with us & makes himself very agreeable & as young as the rest. Mr Curtis’ cousin Mrs Strong is a pretty little woman & has now a pretty sister with her. So that our circle is altogether pleasant, & we are greatly envied by many less agreeably situated. Mrs Maitland is also to be with us. After breakfast we sit about the hall door, looking over green fields to the sea, & chat very merrily or profoundly, as the humor takes us, then [p. 4] the bathers depart, & the rest retire to their rooms to write or read until the incessant ringing of the bell announces that callers are invading our quiet – (I now refuse them as I should at home having seen enough) After dinner another chat or playing of foot ball on the lawn, even the ladies having taken to tossing it, then come the drives or the sunset walk on the Cliffs, & in the ev’g, when no ‘hops’ or parties draw off the gentlemen, we get up games or adjourn to Mrs Benzon’s parlour for singing; & so runs the day away. It is impossible to lead a more sensible life in all this bustle, - & in this lazy air all care is softened & all thought becomes a dream. Mary gains slowly, if at all, & I fear we are almost too noisy for her. She will probably go next week to Pittsfield, & her rooms will be filled by Mad. Maillard, who is looking very sweetly just now. Mary Parkman was here for a week lately & I had a very pleasant quiet dinner with her & Mrs Cleveland at Mrs Tiffany’s. I have a charming picture of Eva taken in water colors. Mary Eustis was here yesterday & asked kindly after you. We all think much of you [p. 1 cross] my darling & all wish we could do something to cheer your life. If the account of our foolish doings is any pleasure to you I will write all I can, but you seem to me so sitting apart, like a nun, in the sanctity of your sorrow that I blush to bring such perishing flowers to your feet. Soon we too shall return to graver cares.
ever & ever thine
Fanny L.
[p. 2 cross] Sam Longfellow returned yesterday with Charlie. I am so sorry he did not see Italy & Germany but the physician thought Charles’ trouble with the heart demanded quiet.

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