File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Mary (Longfellow) Greenleaf, 7 December 1847 (a8bdcd39-2b42-4c71-be47-ac331c1f9ac6).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-017#030

Craigie House
Dec 7th 1847.
Dear Mary,
As I dare not hope you are yet on your way, James must so slowly recover all the strength he has lost, I write you again to tell you of the death of my aunt Martha, which occurred last week. She has been sinking gradually through the Autumn, & her prolonged sufferings finally ceased with perfect tranquility of mind & without a bodily struggle. Her thoughts have been ha [p. 2] bitually so long dwelling in the better life that she passed the threshold with hardly a regret & I feel that it is a comfort to know she is there among so many dear to her, & forever separated from her infirm body – not to speak of any higher gains.
Henry has left me tonight to hear Dr Nichol lecture on the stars, a Glasgow Professor, & author of “Architecture in the Heavens” which you may have read or heard of. He brought H a letter from Emerson, & we had a little social, scientific supper for [p. 3] him. Sam has been passing a week at Fall River including two Sundays but I expect him momently.
Alex has returned to Portland whither Sam & Henry also went for Thanksgiving. He has left Dash with us, but he is such a vagrant lodger that we cannot be very accountable for his actions or whereabouts. He has no scruples in breaking windows, if one is closed in his sleeping room, & indulges in nocturnal howlings, when confined, far from musical. He returned today after two day’s absence looking very like a mauvais syjet with [p. 4] a wounded paw.
How does yr strength hold out, dear Mary, through this long nursing? I long to hear James is perfectly well & you resting from yr fatigues of body & mind.
Our winter keeps along famously thus far. I never knew a milder November – Thanksgiving day was positively uncomfortably warm – Yours must have been a genuine in spirit tho’ celebrated among strangers.
Our love to James.
Fanny sits alone on the floor & has outgrown Erny’s clothes!
Yr loving
Fanny.

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